Eight persons caught in illegal cockfight in Oton

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Eight persons, including a 16-year-old girl, were arrested in an illegal cockfight activity in Oton, Iloilo on April 11.

Members of Oton Police Station and the 1st Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force accompany launched the separate operations on Sunday at Barangay Pakiad.

At around 10:45 a.m., police arrested five persons who were involved in “pauwak.”

They were identified as Alvin Manceba, 24, Celmer Aliponso, 44, and Kher Calvez, 21, all residents of Barangay Calahunan, Mandurriao, Iloilo City; Danilo dela Cruz, 56, and 16-year-old “Joy”, both resident of Pakiad village.

Police recovered from a makeshift cockpit seven heads of fighting cocks with gaff still attached to their legs and P1,530 bet money

Less than three hours later, police again went back to Barangay Pakiad after receiving reports that another pauwak was being done in the area.

Police arrested Paterno Castillo, 65; John Hel Planta; and Felix Montajes, all residents of Pakiad village.

Seized in the area were two heads of cocks, P1,390 cash bet and an improvised cockpit.

Police said the suspects might not have thought that another operation would be done since police already raided the village earlier that day.

The operatives were in civilians clothes but still more suspects were able to flee from the area.

The eight suspects are now detained and will be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 449 (Cockfighting Law of 1974).