Mayor nabbed for illegal cockfight

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A municipal mayor was arrested along with 199 others following a raid on a cockfighting arena in Ferrol, Romblon on Sunday.

Mayor Jovencio Mayor Jr. of Ferrol and the suspects will be charged before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in nearby Odiongan town for violating health protocols and the law prohibiting illegal cockfighting.

Social gatherings are prohibited in areas under Alert Level 3 to prevent the spread of the COVID virus.

Romblon is among areas in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) placed under Alert Level 3 until Feb. 15.

Mayor and the suspects were arrested by a joint team of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, provincial and municipal police.

Romblon police director Col. Raynold Rosero said the suspects failed to present any permit showing they were allowed to conduct cockfighting at the Tubigon Square Garden Cockpit arena in Barangay Tubigon.

“Mayor is in his last term of office and is not running for any position in the upcoming May 9 elections,” Rosero said.

Seized from the suspects were cash money, gambling paraphernalia and gamefowl.