MANILA -- Three policemen have been arrested by police intelligence operatives in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan for taking part in cockfights.
In a statement Monday, the Philippine National Police Counter Intelligence Task Force (PNP-CITF) said its joint operation with the PNP Intelligence Group led to the arrest of PO2 Michael Somido, assigned with NCRPO; PO1 Raymond Meneses, assigned at the Caloocan Police; and PO1 Rhovel Araceli, assigned with the Northern Police District.
Also recovered from the three were their respective service firearms and in the case of Araceli, gaff blades since he is said to be the gaffer -- arming fighting cocks with gaff.
The operation was conducted Sunday at Heroesville Subdivision, Barangay Gaya-Gaya, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. It also resulted to the arrest of two government employees namely Albert Delos Reyes, traffic aide with the city government of San Jose Del Monte, and Almelito Bascon, a staff at the Bulacan Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
A civilian, Rodrigo Gojo Cruz, who serves as the collector was also arrested.
"(The) arrested PNP personnel, including the said government employees and civilian are now under the custody of CITF for documentation and eventual filing of appropriate criminal and administrative cases," CITF spokesperson Chief Insp. Jewel M. Nicanor said in a statement. (PNA)
