BUGASONG, Antique – Policemen here stopped an unauthorized cock derby in Sitio Dugman, Barangay Tuno-an on Jan. 31 around 1:30 p.m. and arrested three persons.
They also recovered two live fighting cocks, two dead cocks, 12 cockfighting baskets, a blue sling bag containing different gaffing paraphernalia, and P3,070 cash.
The following suspects were brought to the Bugasong police station:
* Remigio de Castro, 49, of Barangay Buluangan 1, Valderrama, Antique
* Rex Legaspi, 48, of Barangay Tuno-an, Bugasong, Antique
* Jerry Pido, 53, of Barangay Purok 3 Ubos, Valderrama, Antique
They face charges for violation of Presidential Decree 449 that regulates cock derbies.
Cockfighting has been and still is a popular, traditional and customary form of recreation and entertainment among Filipinos during legal holidays, local fiestas, agricultural, commercial and industrial fairs, carnivals or expositions.
Presidential Decree 449, however, stressed this tradition should neither be exploited as an object of commercialism or business enterprise, nor made a tool of uncontrolled gambling “but more as a vehicle for the preservation and perpetuation of native Filipino heritage and thereby enhance national identity.”
Section 5 of the law states: “…(C)ockfighting shall be allowed only in licensed cockpits during Sundays and legal holidays and during local fiestas for not more than three days. It may also be held during provincial, city or municipal, agricultural, commercial or industrial fair, carnival or exposition for a similar period of three days upon resolution of the province, city or municipality where such fair, carnival or exposition is to be held, subject to the approval of the Chief of Constabulary or his authorized representative: Provided, that, no cockfighting on the occasion of such fair, carnival or exposition shall be allowed within the month of a local fiesta or for more than two occasions a year in the same city or municipality…”/PN
