BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN AND SHIELA G. GELERA
The series of raids against illegal cockfighting in Negros Occidental Sunday led to the arrest of 15 violators, including a fugitive and a minor, and the seizure of more than P2,000 in cash bets and fighting cocks.
Nabbed during a raid for illegal cockfighting in Brgy. 4, Sipalay City, by the local police and troopers of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, were Raquel Pascual, Isidro, Calixto and Eduardo, all surnamed Buhay, Jovi Dereche, Angelito Sebuco, Manuel Alibo, Adrian Persigas, and a minor.
The arrest of the suspects yielded P745 in cash bets, a fighting cock, two dead game fowls, and a gaff with leather.
Jerry Gestat was also arrested for his participation in an illegal cockfighting activity in Brgy. Calapi, Hinigaran, that yielded four fighting cocks with two gaffs.
A fugitive, identified as Rodjie Dinaguit, and Richard Mendoza were arrested by the police and troopers of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6 in another raid in Brgy. Tuyom, Cauayan, also for illegal cockfighting.
Dinaguit has a pending arrest warrant for direct assault with P36,000 in bail recommended by Judge Conrado Estreller, the police said.
The operation yielded five fighting cocks and cash bets of P300.
Three persons were also caught engaging in illegal cockfighting activity in Purok Kalawit, Barangay Cansilayan in Murcia town, Negros Occidental, at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Arrested were Jerry dela Cruz, 33, Archie dela Cruz, 26, both of Barangay Talotog, and Noel Hinolan, 50, of Barangay Salvacion, all in Murcia, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bacolod reported.
CIDG-Bacolod operatives, led by P/Chief Master Sgt. Ramiro Gocotano, under the supervision of P/Capt. Reydian Corales, conducted the operation that yielded a live fighting cock, two dead fighting cocks, two gaffs, P1,010 in bet money, a tricycle, and four motorcycles.
Hinolan, who is a laborer, was the promoter, and Jerry dela Cruz, a glass installer, and Archie dela Cruz, who is a construction worker, were the bettors, Gocotano said.
Meanwhile, a buy-bust operation in Brgy. Zone 3, Talisay City, yielded seven grams of suspected shabu, worth P47,600, and P1,400 in cash proceeds, the Talisay City Police Station reported.
Another buy-bust operation in Brgy. Poblacion, Bago City, yesterday led to the apprehension of Rollen Jolito, who ranked number eight in the city police drug watch list.
The police recovered 0.3 gram of suspected shabu, worth P2,040, P300 in marked money and P350 in cash believed to be proceeds from the sale of illegal drugs during the buy-bust operation.*
