COVID-19 prank: Cops briefly arrest man who presents cockfight instead of quarantine pass

TAGBILARAN CITY—A 24-year-old man from Dauis town was apprehended by police for allegedly loitering in this city on Monday (April 13), a violation of the quarantine restrictions imposed by the provincial government against the spread of COVID-19.

When asked for his quarantine pass, the young man reportedly showed a pass for a “tukis” or illegal cockfighting.

When brought to the Tagbilaran police station, the man said he was surprised why he was issued a “tukis pass” which was signed by village chief Raldo Rollorazo of Barangay Totolan in Dauis town.

The police released the man and advised him to go to his barangay for clarification and ask for a home quarantine pass instead.

In a phone interview, Rollorazo said what happened was a case of miscommunication.

“It was only for fun,” he told Inquirer.

Rollorazo explained that while he and some of the village councilmen were on duty, residents went to the barangay hall to ask for home quarantine passes.

Since the residents were with friends, they joked around that they should be issued a “tukis” pass instead of a home quarantine pass since they missed cockfighting after it was banned due to the community quarantine.

To add to the fun, Rollorazo said he changed the word “quarantine” on the passes to “tukis” and printed a copy which he showed to his friends.

Rollorazo said he then told the secretary to throw it away.

He said he was shocked when he learned that a man who was apprehended by police showed the pass.

Rollorazo, citing investigation results, said the secretary put the printed copy on the desk. Unfortunately, the barangay treasurer had mistaken the printed copy for a quarantine pass and gave it to residents.

Rollorazo apologized and requested those who were given the pass to return it to the barangay for replacement with home quarantine passes.

Edited by TSB