Image by Ashley Manabat
As the whole region is currently on an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until April 30, the Department of the Interior and Local Government XII and the Philippine National Police XII showed their commitment in implementing social distancing guidelines and restrictions against mass gathering by going after those who blatantly violate the quarantine regulations in the Region.
On April 10 at around 10:05 in the morning, police intelligence operatives of Antipas MPS under Acting Chief of Police PCPT Jorlito L. Patrona, received information that an illegal cockfighting was being conducted at Purok 6, Brgy. New Pontevedra, Antipas, Cotabato Province. The said place was about 15-20 kilometers away from the town’s police station. Upon receipt of the said report, a police alert team along with the intelligence operatives proceeded to the venue to arrest the persons involved in the said illegal gambling activity.
The cockfighting activity was done right in the middle of a rubber plantation, taking advantage of the remoteness and the thick vegetation of the area. While nearing the target location, the operating team from Antipas PNP, together with the barangay officials and the BPATs of Brgy. New Pontevedra, noticed the presence of several persons holding fighting cocks. The cockfight aficionados, upon sensing that the operatives were approaching, immediately scampered away to avoid arrest, leaving behind two fighting cocks with Gaffing blade (tare) in progress of fighting.
Other pieces of evidence recovered in the area were six (6) dead fighting cocks, two (2) live but wounded fighting cocks and two (2) pcs of gaffing blades (tare).
Based on the initial investigation made by PMSg Christopher C. Servaa, the following persons are the alleged organizers of the said illegal activity: Vergilio Pacquoa, Reni Gentilliso, and Robert Pojas, all residents of New Pontevedra. The suspects, unfortunately, were able to escape but a warrant had been issued for their arrest.
Antipas PNP has prepared a case of violation of PD 1602 and RA 9271 (for violation of Quarantine Act of 2004). Violation of PD 1602 prescribes stiffer penalties on illegal gambling like cockfighting to discourage or stamp out these activities while RA 9271 is an ‘act strengthening the regulatory capacity of the DOH in quarantine and international health surveillance.’
The suspects also violated the prohibition of ‘public gathering” based on the Inter-Agency Task Force Memorandum which serves as the guideline for the management of the Covid-19 Situation for the Luzon lockdown. The memo, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, also serves as the basis for locally-passed Regional TF Covid 19 and Regional Inter-Agency Task Group (RIATG) XII resolutions guiding the lockdown implementation in the Region.
Earlier, DILG XII Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III, has issued a similar warning of following the quarantine guidelines in the midst of the ECQ extension for Region XII through the local media. “Let us not forget the high number of Covid-19 casualties from among those who attended a recent cockfighting derby in Region XI,” she added.
“Once again, I call on our residents to bear with the regulations. We all know that we have new positive cases and staying at home is one way of helping the government to stop the spread of the virus,” Dir. Leysa said as she appealed to the public.
