FOUR individuals engaged in illegal cockfighting were caught by the police in Sitio Catarman 2, Barangay Catarman in Cordova town past 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
The suspects have been identified as Wilfredo Pungcol Torrejas, 52; Irene Agbo Sitoy, 32; Aldrin Agbo Sitoy, 30; and Elmer Pungcol Torrejas, all of whom are residents of Catarman 2.
Before the suspects were caught, the Cordova Police Station had received an information about an illegal cockfighting, locally known as “tigbakay,” taking place in the sitio.
A team of police officers, led by the station chief, Maj. Michael Gingoyon, raided the area. Upon their arrival, more than a hundred individuals, including both gamblers and spectators, scattered in various directions.
The police, however, still managed to apprehend the four individuals.
The police confiscated two fighting cocks with sharpened spurs and gambling paraphernalia.
Meanwhile, another illegal cockfighting operation was dismantled by the police in Talisay City at Sitio Paglaum, Barangay Dumlog.
The raid happened around 3 p.m. on Sunday, which resulted in the arrest of a minor and a 42-year-old gambler identified as Satero Garcia Avenido.
The Talisay City Police Station said it had received a tip regarding the illegal cockfighting activity in the area, prompting it to conduct the raid.
Illegal cockfighting and other illegal gambling activities are punishable under Presidential Decree 1602. (AYB / KAL)