By Jennifer P. Rendon
Eleven persons were arrested in an illegal cockfight morning of June 20, 2021 in Zarraga, Iloilo.
Police identified the suspects as Jetro Macendo, 27, of Barangay Ingure, La Paz, Iloilo City; Fernan Romeo, 22, of Hippodromo St., City Proper, Iloilo City; Jun Rey Romeo, 27, of Barangay Malinao, Basay, Negros Oriental; John Louise Sologastoa, 23, and Ryan Christian Subejano, 24, both of Barangay Inagdangan Norte, Zarraga; Leonardo Silvederio Jr., 30, and Arnold Gregorio, 42, both of Barangay Malagab-i, Cuartero, Capiz; and John Dhell Loyola, 27, of Malangharon, Dingle, Iloilo.
Also arrested were Evan Candido, 42; Sherwin Candido, 39; and Basilio Candido, 61. All are residents of Barangay Dawis Centro, the area where the pauwak or tupada was held.
Lieutenant Johnny Arnad, Zarraga police chief, said they caught the suspects following complaints from residents of Barangay Dawis Centro about an illegal cockfight in their village.
Arnad said some aficionados managed to escape and four of them were identified by police.
At large are Jonathan Romeo, a resident of Bayawan, Negros Occidental; Walter Dolindo of Malangharon, Dingle; and Pedro Provido Jr. alias Bado and Pedro Provido Sr. alias Indo, both residents of Barangay Inagdangan Norte, Zarraga.
Recovered from the scene were two dead and two live fighting cocks, two gaffs, and P33,340 cash bets.
The suspects will be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 449 (Cockfighting Law of 1974).
Earlier, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has repeatedly stressed that illegal cockfighting, or what is locally known as pauwak and tupada, won’t be tolerated.
Even the PNP hierarchy has directed local police units to intensify their operations against the holding of tupada or illegal cockfights in their areas.
Authorities have stressed that the holding of tupada violates the minimum health protocol being enforced by the government.
