By Jennifer P. Rendon
Four persons were caught in an illegal cockfight, or locally known as pauwak or tupada, late afternoon of February 26, 2021 at Oton, Iloilo.
The suspects were identified as Johnny Juadiong, 43, of Barangay Pulo Maestra Vita, Oton; Gideon Sale, 36, and Jonald John Suganob, 27, both of Barangay Abilay Sur, Oton; and Rio Velez, 45, of Barangay San Jose, San Miguel, Iloilo.
The four were not as quick to evade as other cockfight enthusiasts when police stormed the makeshift cockpit at Barangay Abilay Norte.
Members of Oton Police Station, Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit (IPPO-PIU), 602nd Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6, and 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, launched the operation after receiving reports of an ongoing pauwak in celebration of the village’s fiesta the next day.
Recovered from their possession are two fighting cock heads, an improvised fighting arena, and P2,800 bet money.
The suspects are detained and will be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 449 (Cockfighting Law of 1974).
