By Mae Singuay

Bacolod City Police Office acting director, Colonel Noel Aliño clarified yesterday that there was no total ban on cockfight activities in the city.

However, Aliño said he will not allow any illegal gambling activities, which also includes illegal cockfighting.

He said he is not against cockfighting, but he would not allow it if no permits are presented. 

Last week, the city council passed a resolution expressing clarification to the Philippine National Police of the legal basis of holding cockfights during fiesta or charter day celebrations in city barangays.

The resolution cited that City Ordinance 506 grants authority to the Sangguniang Panlungsod to issue special permits for special cockfights for specified purposes.

A licensed cockpit “refers to a cockpit which has been issued a permit and the authority to operate after complying with the requirements provided.”

“The power to regulate cockfights was devolved to the local government units,” the resolution said.

Aliño said there’s no problem with the resolution. 

“Hindi naman totally ban ang cockfighting dito, basta naka-align lang ito under Presidential Decree 449 at sa resolution,” he said./MS, WDJ