The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the release of a vice mayor and 2 barangay officials from detention, while 19 other suspects remain in custody, reports released on Dec. 10, 2021 say.
It was earlier reported that Bien Unido vice mayor Ramon Arcenal, Mandawa barangay captain Patrocinio Boniel, and Mandawa barangay kagawad Jovy Boniel were arrested for allegedly participating in an illegal cockfight. They were arrested following a raid conducted on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, where 22 persons were arrested including the three public officials.
The officials were ordered to be released by the provincial prosecutor from detention due to a “technicality” after inquest proceedings conducted on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, the report adds.
Reports reveal that the public officials have been cleared from illegal cockfighting charge as a result of the order of the prosecutor.
It was reported that around 200 persons participated in the illegal cockfight which was the subject of the raid.
The police said they learned about the staging of the illegal cockfight based on a tip given by a concerned citizen.