At least 26 men were arrested in a raid in Pavia town, Province of Iloilo for illegal cockfighting referred to locally as “pauwak.”

Personnel of the Pavia Police Station raided a compound in Barangay Pandac, Pavia reported to have carried out “pauwak” on March 2, 2025.

Police said there were approximately a hundred individuals, but the rest scooted while the raid was conducted.

The police recovered at least 15 game fowls, two improvised cockfighting rings, and bet money worth P10,000.

According to the Pavia Police, they received information a week prior to the raid on illegal cockfighting in Pandac done on Sundays.

Upon validation, the information given proved to be positive.

“Dito po sa Pavia wala pong cockpit [arena]. Any cockfighting event is illegal dahil wala tayong registered cockpit,” Major Harold Rendora, chief of Pavia Municipal Police Station, said.

“Every Sunday daw sini-set nila. So pagka-set nila, diyan sila nagkikita-kita sa compound na pinag-raidan natin sa Barangay Pandac,” Rendora added.

A few of those arrested said it did not dawn on them they could be arrested for an activity they consider as “pastime.”

“Pampalipas oras lang. Tumaya ng P100 tapos katuwaan lang, panalo ka na,” alias “Wel,” one of the 26 individuals arrested, said.

As for alias “Rolls,” he said they were told they would not be apprehended for such activity.

“Sinabi naman kasi na hindi (kami) huhulihin,” Rolls said.

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas tried to reach out for a comment from Pandac Barangay Chairman Pinky Siason but she is reportedly in Baguio City, as of this writing.

The arrested individuals will face charges for violating Presidential Decree 1602 or illegal gambling.