BY MARIE TONETTE MARTICIO
TACLOBAN CITY – The chief of police of San Jose town in Northern Samar died after a fighting cock’s gaff or “tari” accidentally hit him while leading an operation against an illegal cock-fighting session in the town on Monday.
Police Lt. Christian Bolok, chief of the San Jose Municipal Station (MPS), and his men raided a “tupada” or illegal cockfighting activity in Barangay Madugang at around 1:20 p.m.
At least six violators were caught in the act of engaging in the tupada while some men scampered in different directions.
While Bolok was confiscating a fighting cock, he was struck by its gaff in the left thigh, injuring his fermoral artery or the main artery of the lower limb, according to police report.
He was rushed to the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
The operating team seized from the violators seven fighting cocks, two sets of gaff, and bet money amounting to P550.
They were brought to San Jose MPS for filing of charges.
Northern Samar Provincial Office (NSPO) director Col. Arnel Apud expressed grief over the untimely death of Bolok.
“I have a heavy heart as we have lost a brother who sacrificed his own life in the name of service,” Apud said.
