Two Men Caught Stealing Fighting Cocks in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two men were arrested at a police checkpoint after allegedly stealing fighting cocks early on May 15 in Calinog, Iloilo.

Police identified the suspects as alias Ren, 19, of Barangay Salong, Tapaz, Capiz, and alias Ed, 30, of Barangay Initan, Tapaz.

A third suspect, identified as Jay-R, 33, of Sitio Aray-Aray, Barangay Siya, Tapaz, evaded arrest.

The Calinog Municipal Police Station received a report of the theft at around 4:30 a.m., about 10 minutes after the suspects allegedly took three fighting cocks from a property in Barangay Malag-it.

Alias RonRon, 33, told police that three men entered his property and took the cocks.

Police set up a checkpoint in Barangay Guiso and intercepted the suspects around 5 a.m.

The three stolen fighting cocks were recovered from their possession.

Authorities also seized a homemade 20-gauge firearm with ammunition from alias Ed.

A nine-inch knife was recovered from alias Ren.

The two suspects are now in police custody and will face appropriate charges.

Investigators said the men are also linked to other thefts involving fighting cocks in the province.