Pasay barangay chair nabbed betting on ‘tupada’

MANILA, Philippines — A barangay chair in Pasay City who had been charged with violating protocol guidelines was arrested in Makati City for participating in a “tupada,” or illegal cockfight.

Ronnie Palmos, 46, the head of Pasay’s Barangay 139, was caught with nine other men betting on the illegal cockfight held on Batangas Street in Barangay Pio del Pilar at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Makati policemen seized from the suspects P28,500 in bets, a dead fighting cock and another that was wounded.

A report said the police received a complaint from Pio del Pilar chair Hazel Lacia about a tupada near the creekside of Tripa de Galina separating both cities.

Palmos and the other suspects were taken to the Makati police station where they remain detained on charges of violating Presidential Decree No. 1602.

Earlier, he was accused of threatening a resident in his village who had taken a video of him drinking liquor with 15 people on Aug. 16 inside the barangay hall.

The resident, who filed a complaint against Palmos, said the barangay official and his companions failed to observe physical distancing. They were also not wearing face masks and face shields.