By Jennifer P. Rendon
Nine persons were caught engaging in a cockfight at an unauthorized venue afternoon of Nov 29, 2020 in Leganes, Iloilo.
Police identified the suspects as John Reynald Lema, 23, and Alberto Japan, 61, both of Barangay Hechanova, Leganes; Isagani Catanyag, 48, of Barangay Guinobatan, Leganes; and Reymart Jaleco, 31, of Barangay Guintas, Leganes.
Also arrested were Jocel Jinon, 36; Wardito Pinggo, 31; Jessie Tanaleon, 42; Romel Tanaleon, 45; and Daniel de la Cruz, 43. All are residents of Barangay Napnud, the village where the alleged illegal cockfight operation took place.
Members of Leganes Police Station collared the suspects after they received reports of an ongoing cockfight at Sitio Paho.
Recovered from the suspects were P1,280 bet money, six heads of live fighting cocks, a cock box, a bayong, and an improvised cockpit ring.
Last week, Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, reiterated to chiefs of police in the province to strictly implement Executive Order No. 284 issued by Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr.
The order calls for the monitoring of the operation of cockpits and the conduct of cockfighting securing all provisions under NIATF Resolution No. 79 and DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-140.