DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reiterated her warning against individuals who engage in cockfighting, following the arrest of 29 individuals, including a barangay captain, after they were caught playing the illegal game.
In an operation conducted by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) on Sunday afternoon, September 6, those arrested include Barangay 10-A Captain Marc Cayetano, 41; Barangay Kagawad Romeo Mamontayo, 57; and Waren Comision, 39, a government employee.
Based on the DCPO spot report, the 29 individuals were arrested at San Rafael Village in Maa Davao City, the venue where the illegal cockfighting took place.
Before the arrest, the police office received a complaint from a concerned citizen regarding an ongoing cockfighting.
DCPO said they were able to recover a total of P245,734 pot money during the operation.
Arrested persons will face violation of Presidential Decree (PD) 449 as amended by PD 1602 and Republic Act 11332 in relation to Section 4, of Executive Order 47-A of City Government of Davao.
Duterte-Carpio, in a radio interview on Monday, September 7, chided the barangay officials for being involved in the illegal activity.
Duterte-Carpio said her office had long received complaints about Cayetano, whom the mayor confirmed was a member of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) and a "big time contractor."
HNP is a regional party led by the city mayor.
She disclosed that the barangay captain texted her on Sunday evening, through her staff, and explained his side following the incident.
Duterte-Carpio who read Cayetano's text said, "'Di man gyud ko nagapabadlong, sir. Natimingan ra gyud ko.' (I don’t misbehave. It’s just unfortunate that I was there)."
"So, kung wala natimingan, okay ra to? (So, if you were not caught there, then it’s fortunate?)," the mayor added.
She said they can file complaints against Cayetano to the 19th City Council Committee on Ethics, but she added that it is best to refer the matter to the Department of the Interior and Local Government for further sanction.
Meanwhile, the mayor warned officials to set as a role model to their constituents.
"Do not be the person na example sa pag-violate sa balaod na (who is an example for violating laws when) you are supposed to implement sa inyohang (in your) barangay," she said.
The mayor had prohibited cockfighting since the city was under community quarantine in late March this year.
Despite appeals from cockfighters, the mayor said she won't allow it while the city is still under the state of Covid-19 pandemic.
"Kung naay sabong sa laing lugar, didto na lang usa mo pagsabong. (I suggest you do it in areas where it is allowed). Sabong will form mass gathering. Ang di gusto sa mga doctor kay mass gathering ang mga tao. (Our medical doctors won't allow it)," Duterte-Carpio said.
Notably, one of the sources of the Covid-19 infection in Mindanao was at a cockderby on March 7, 10 and 12, at the New Davao Matina Gallera.
Following the report, Duterte-Carpio banned all cockfight derbies in the city.
She said a consensus was reached between her and the majority of the 19th City Council recently, making the city gambling-free.