EIGHT persons were arrested by operatives of Police Station 1 for illegal cockfighting in Purok Boulevard, Barangay 13, Bacolod City Sunday morning, July 12, 2020.

Police identified the suspects as Arnel Ebar, 55, of Barangay 35; Risty Mellogo, 33, of Barangay 16; Rakim Ulah, 34, of Barangay Villamonte; Joel Romano, 60, of Barangay 16; Jonathan Lachica, 50, of Barangay 13; Loren Tinga, 24, of Barangay 13; Antonio Noble, 68, of Barangay 35; and Jose Tubod, 61, of Barangay 13, all in Bacolod City.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said Police Station 1 led by Major Jovil Sedel received information that there was illegal cockfighting in Purok Boulevard.

The operatives arrived around 11:20 a.m. and the suspects were caught in the act of initiating illegal cockfighting.

Police recovered from the suspects six live and two dead fighting cocks, and P1, 670 cash.

The suspects were detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 1 and facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree 449 or the Cockfighting Law.

Meanwhile, a 20-year-old man was arrested by personnel of Police Station 4 for illegal possession of firearms in Zone 7, Barangay Handumanan, Bacolod City Sunday morning.

Arrested was Jesmer Arangote of Barangay Mansilingan.

Investigation showed that while the suspect, a sentinel guard at Ken Water Station, was rendering duty in the area at about 12:20 a.m., he was reportedly unruly and observed to be under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

Police recovered from Arangote’s possession a .45 caliber pistol without serial number and a magazine loaded with five live ammunition.

The suspect is detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 10 and is facing charges for violation of the Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.