POLICE units were directed recently by the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief to intensify their operations against the holding of tupada or illegal cockfights in their areas.
Police General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar issued the order following the arrest of 17 persons, including a barangay captain, in Calamba, Laguna who held a tupada and likewise violated minimum public health safety protocols.
The province of Laguna is part of the NCR Plus and remains under General Community Quarantine with heightened restrictions status.
“Ang ilegal na tupadang ito ang mitsa sa nakakalungkot na pangyayari kay Edwin Arnigo. Therefore, I am ordering all police commanders to launch a crackdown against thIs form of illegal activity,” said PGen Eleazar.
The PNP Chief likewise expressed dismay that among the arrested violators was a barangay captain.
PGen. Eleazar, “Ang malala pa dito, sangkot ang kapitan ng barangay. Nakakahiya at nakakagalit na imbes na sawayin ay siya pa ang nangunang pasaway sa tupada. Hindi man lang natinag si kapitan sa nasampolan na barangay chairman sa Caloocan.”
He said that he is also coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año to give the PNP the clearance to immediately file cases against barangay officials where successful anti-tupada operations would be conducted.
A few weeks ago, a barangay captain in Caloocan was administratively charged for the Gubat sa Ciudad incident where the resort was opened to hundreds of people despite the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine in effect over Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, the PNP chief reminded police officers not to get involved with illegal gambling activities, including tupada, and said, “Binabalaan ko rin po ang ating PNP personnel na huwag proprotektahan o kukunsintihin ang anumang klaseng iligal na sugal, gaya ng tupada, dahil siguradong mamalasin kayo sa akin.”
PGen Eleazar directed police commanders to make sure that no one among police personnel are involved in illegal gambling activities, and to keep their units professional and disciplined at all times.
“Kung alam ng mga pulis na hindi sila kukunsintihin ng kanilang mga pinuno, natitiyak ko na magdadalawang-isip silang gumawa ng iligal na gawain,” the PNP chief added.