A concerned citizen’s call to the police’s “E-Sumbong” hotline led to the apprehension of three Virac residents caught in a raid on an illegal cockfight in a poblacion barangay last week.
The three men – Judiel Panti, 27, Joven Romero, 28, and Danreb Sarmiento, 39, all resident of San Pablo – were not able to flee when elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group- Catanduanes Provincial Field Unit and the Virac Municipal Police Station swooped down on the “tupada” in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), RIU5-PITG and 97 MICO 9MIB 9ID Philippine Army.
Confiscated during the anti-illegal gambling operation were two fighting cocks, blades and bet money totaling P2,520.
The trio have been released and will await the filing of a criminal case for violation of Presidential Decree 449 or the Cockfighting Law.
In a statement, the police said the incident proved that one of the fast and effective means of suppressing illegal activities is the active participation of the people. It also pointed out that aside from its being illegal, the holding of the cockfight poses danger to the public, especially since health protocols are not being observed in the public gathering.
It is claimed that the trio are now hunting for the resident who made the call to the police hotline.