Village chief celebrates birthday with cockfight, arrested

CEBU, Philippines —  A barangay captain in Dumanjug town, southern Cebu was arrested for allegedly hosting an illegal cockfighting activity on the occasion of his birthday yesterday.

Ruel Cuevas, 39, village chief Kabatbatan, Dumanjug, was nabbed by town policemen, along with his companion, Jerry Torres.

According to Police Major Ardiolito Cabagnot, chief of the town police, they received information that there was an ongoing cockfighting activity in the barangay.

The cops immediately responded to the barangay, where it was later found out that the activity was itself organized by the barangay captain.

Cabagnot said that based on the information gathered, Cuevas was celebrating his birthday at the time, which was reportedly the reason why he hosted the cockfight.

The Department of Interior and Local Government earlier issued an advisory cancelling any cockfight in the country as a measure to avoid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Cabagnot said that Cuevas may have not taken the warning seriously, considering that his barangay is located far from the main road.

Cuevas confirmed to the police later that he organized the event to celebrate his birthday.

He will now face a charge for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602 which prohibits illegal gambling, as well as a possible administrative charge.  JMD (FREEMAN)