By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has recommended for the temporary suspension of the operation of a cockpit in Janiuay Iloilo following allegations that it could have allowed live streaming, a claim refuted by the cockfight promoter.
Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, said they came up with the recommendation in a bid to thresh out gray areas in cockpit operations in the town.
The operation of Janiuay cockpit came to light following the visit of Gretchen Barretto and Atong Ang in Janiuay on Nov 8.
There were insinuations of a possible breach of health protocols since they allegedly did not coordinate their visit with authorities.
Since the two are celebrities in their respective fields, a crowd allegedly gathered at a resort in Janiuay town which transgressed social distancing protocols.
Issues then came up that Ang visited the town’s cockpit, which is one of the alleged venues for future online sabong.
There were claims that a video camera was set up in the area during a cockfight on Nov 13.
Gorero said they want to conduct an inquiry, through the municipal Inter-Agency Task Force, and ask the cockpit owner and cockfight promoter if indeed no live streaming happened.
If not, the promoter would be asked on the purpose of placing a video camera during the games as the government said that online sabong is illegal.
Gorero said they would like to find out if rules on such activities, as mandated by the national IATF and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), were followed.
“But it’s just a recommendation. It’s not for us to decide,” he said.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on Nov 20 issued Executive Order No. 284, Series of 2020, enjoining all Municipalities and Passi City to implement the following measures in monitoring of operation of cockpits and the conduct of cockfighting in their respective jurisdictions.
The local police and the local government units were told to conduct regular inspection of cockpits, essentially before the conduct of cockfight.
Second, the EO also ordered the PNP to assign police personnel to inspect and monitor/witness the conduct of cockfights.
Third, they were told to submit a report on the conduct of cockfighting activities to the RIATF and the Province of Iloilo.
Further, Defensor also “enjoined the assistance of IPPO to ensure that the respective chiefs of municipal and city police stations shall perform their functions in pursuit of the implementation of the said monitoring measures and reporting of cockpit operations.”
