CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela – Police arrested 15 persons for
illegal cockfighting in Barangay Dianao here on Sunday, April 12.
The Isabela Police Provincial Office said they received information about the illegal activity from a concerned citizen at around 3:30 p.m.
Police arrived and saw the suspects holding an illegal cockfight in an open field in an improvised cockpit locally referred to as a “gradas.”
Seized from the suspects were seven live fighting roosters, four dead roosters, seven derby boxes, a gaffing kit containing 25 metal spurs or “tari,” and ₱50,120 in bet money.
The suspects are under police custody and will face charges for violating Presidential Decree 449 which governs cockfighting activities in the Philippines.
Police are hunting two suspects believed to be the operator and an accomplice who managed to evade arrest.
The Isabela PPO assured that illegal gambling activities will not be tolerated and intensified operations will continue. Police urged residents to cooperate with authorities by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.