TEN individuals were arrested for engaging in illegal cockfight in Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante City and in Barangay Robles, La Castellana on Sunday, June 20, 2021.

Based on information provided by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), the raids were made after both police stations in Escalante City and La Castellana were tipped off of the illegal activity.

In Escalante City, also seized were two live roosters with gaffs still attached, two dead roosters, and gambling money amounting to P150.

in La Castellana, the cops arrested three persons and seized one live rooster, two dead roosters, four gaffs, and gambling money amounting to P3,320.

The 10 suspects are facing illegal gambling charges and are currently detained at the Escalante City Police Station and La Castellana Municipal Police Station, respectively.

Earlier, Nocppo spokesperson Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco said cockfight events are still prohibited in the province due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has been reminding the public against holding face-to-face cockfighting, which is considered illegal and has been known as super spreader of Covid-19.