Caloocan mayor files charges vs barangay officials for illegal cockfighting

Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan filed multiple administrative charges against Barangay 129 officials for staging an illegal cockfighting match at Manila North Cemetery on Good Friday.

Barangay chairman Brix John Rolly Reyes and councilors Alfie Lacson, Romualdo Reyes, and John Cris Domingo face charges of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Malapitan sought the preventive suspension of the barangay officials pending investigation.

Following calls from Malapitan and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, the suspects surrendered and were turned over to the Manila Police District (MPD).

The barangay officials abandoned their posts, failed to enforce social distancing and enhanced community quarantine guidelines, and violated the ban on mass gatherings, according to Malapitan's complaint.

Malapitan emphasized that the city government would not tolerate any official proven to be a lawbreaker, especially during times of crisis.

Reyes and his companions were immediately taken into custody by the Caloocan City Police and later transferred to the MPD for jurisdictional purposes.