By Jennifer P. Rendon
Eighty-two persons were arrested for allegedly engaging in an illegal online cockfight game in Janiuay, Iloilo.
The suspects were collared inside the Hernani Baranco Sports Complex at Barangay Golgotha around 11 p.m. of Jan. 14, 2020.
Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Special Operations Group (IPPO-PSOG) and Janiuay Police Station stormed the cockpit arena after receiving reports that it was streaming live cockfights (sabong) without permits.
One of those arrested was cockpit owner Hernani Baranco.
Police Major Jonathan Pinuela, IPPO-PSOG chief, said they also recovered three firearms inside the cockpit’s vault.
“A player can’t bring in a firearm inside the arena. They had to leave it (in the vault) and just get it once they come out,” Pinuela said.
Upon verification on Jan. 15, the three firearms – two Glock and a caliber .45 pistol – were covered by memorandum receipts issued to two policemen and a Philippine Army member.
One of the two cops was recently assigned to IPPO while the other one is a member of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion.
“But none of them was arrested,” Pinuela said.
Meanwhile, Police Captain Dadje Delima, Janiuay police chief, confirmed that they already filed a case for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 against the suspects before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecution Office.
PERMIT
Live streaming of cockfighting, also known as Global, has been done in other cockpits in Iloilo City.
But the company or the cockpit that will host the live streaming must secure permits from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
In a way, it is akin to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) permit, a source said.
On top of that, the cockpit hosting the live streaming must have a permit from the arena sanctioned to hold the online game.
