The city government of Caloocan has asked the five Barangay 129 officials to surrender to authorities after they were caught on Good Friday engaging in illegal cockfighting inside the Manila North Cemetery while close to each other despite the social distancing guidelines imposed due to COVID-19.
Caloocan Mayor Oca Malapitan said he would not hesitate to order a manhunt operation against them should they not surrender themselves to the police.
“Hindi natin kailanman kukunsintihin ang mga maling gawa ng ating mga opisyal. Magsasagawa ng sariling imbestigasyon ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Caloocan para maberepika ang sumbong,” he added.
Malapitan’s warning came after Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, through a Facebook live video, disclosed that the five officials are still at large after escaping when they were caught engaging in illegal cockfighting with dozens of other men.
Citing a report from the Manila Police District, Moreno and Malapitan identified them as Chairman Brix John Reyes and Councilors Ronnie Ignacio, Alfie Lacson, Romualdo Reyes, and John Cris Domingo.
“Ano kayang mararamdaman ninyo sa mga taong ito na naturingang barangay opisyal…ginawa po nila yung pagsasabong sa loob ng sementeryo kung saan nahihimlay nang mapayapa ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay,” Moreno said.
“Walang galang sa mga patay. Walang galang sa batas,” Moreno added.
Moreno gave them 48 hours to show themselves to the city government of Manila.
Malapitan said he would not hesitate to impose administrative sanctions against them.
“Hindi ako mag-aatubili na patawan ng kaukulang parusang administratibo kabilang na ang pagpapasuspinde sa kanila,” he said. (Joseph Pedrajas)