39 people nabbed in Laguna over illegal cockfighting

Authorities in Sta. Rosa, Laguna have arrested a total of 39 people in different areas in the city due to illegal cockfighting amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

According to Mai Bermudez’s Saturday report on “24 Oras Weekend,” some of the violators were caught not wearing face masks and face shields.

The Sta. Rosa police said they have been receiving reports since Thursday that there were illegal activities in the city such as cockfighting during the ECQ.

More than 30 were arrested on Friday while nine were arrested on Thursday.

“‘Yun nga ‘yung, ano bang ano, nakakainis na nakakagalit, eh. Kasi naghihigpit tayo na walang lalabas sa mga bahay tapos dito sila nasa open pa,”  Sta. Rosa police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Vicente Amante said.

[This is what’s really maddening. Because we’re being strict that no one should leave their homes and here they are in the open.]

The Sta. Rosa Police stressed that cockfighting is not an essential activity, adding that even licensed cockfighting establishments are closed amid the ECQ.

“Super spreader ‘yung mga ganitong pagtitipon na sobra-sobra dikit-dikit at hindi naman talaga essential ang kanilang ginagawa, maliban lang sa illegal,” he said.

[These kinds of gatherings are super-spreaders with people so close to each other. It’s also not essential, other than being illegal.]

The Sta. Rosa Police said it was having a problem where to place the violators as they do not fit in their cells.

“Hahanapan natin sila ng lugar kung sasaan natin sila puwedeng ma isolate ng pansamantala,” he said.

[We will look for a place where we could temporarily isolate them.] -Joahna Lei Casilao/MDM, GMA News