BACOLOD CITY – Eleven persons, including a barangay kagawad and tanod, were arrested for allegedly engaging in “tupada” or illegal cockfighting in Sitio Sabang, Barangay Elihan, Cauayan, Negros Occidental Friday.
Police identified two of the 11 suspects as kagawad Jim Talanas, 63, and Danny Ortega, 50, a security guard and barangay tanod.
Nine other suspects from Barangay Elihan and Sipalay City were identified as bettors and record keepers, according to the police.
According to a report from the Negros Occidental police, the suspects were caught engaging in the illegal activity without authority amid the COVID pandemic in which strict observance of physical distancing and wearing of face masks should be observed.
The operation was led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod and Cauayan Municipal Police Station.
Recovered from the suspects were fighting cocks, gaffs or tari, ballpens, markers, calendar, papers, notebook, two cellular phones, and P5,790 bet money.
Suspects are under the custody of CIDG-Bacolod for filing of charges for violation of Presidential Decree No. 449 or the Cockfighting Law of 1974.