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Cops nab town mayor, 200 others for ‘sabong’

February 7, 2022 Alfred P. Dalizon 288 views

POLICE on Sunday arrested at least 200 people led by Mayor Jovencio Mayor Jr. of Ferrol, Romblon inside a local cockfighting arena which was found to be operating despite the COVID Alert Level 3 status raised in the province.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Dionardo B. Carlos said that combined operatives of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the Ferrol Municipal Police Station, and the Romblon Provincial Police Mobile Force Company raided the Tubigon Square Garden following reports that cockfighting is being held in the establishment in full violation of COVID Alert Level 3 rules in Romblon that prohibits the game.

“This is a clear violation of IATF Resolution No. 159-A, Series of 2022 and Presidential Decree 449 or the Cockfighting Law of 1974 as amended by Presidential Decree 1602. All persons engaged in the cockfight were arrested and booked,” Gen. Carlos said.

The top cop said that necessary documents are being prepared by the local police for the filing of charges against the mayor and the rest of the “sabungeros.”

“It is unfortunate that an elected official was among the arrested violators but we are just acting on reports with careful monitoring. It will be up for the prosecutor to appreciate the evidence,” Gen. Carlos said.

Recovered during the raid were a sizeable amount of cash bets, gambling paraphernalia as well as several dead and live fighting cocks with attached gaffs (tari), said the PNP chief.

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