Illegal cockfighting happens in several places in the Philippines. They usually do this illegal gambling in remote places to avoid being raided by the police and other uniformed personnel that might arrest them. Not all the time, these players are lucky to escape from being arrested. Just like these men in Palawan that was captured in the afternoon on April 14 at Barangay Buenavista, Coron.

On the raid, 8 men named Fredderico Cargullo, John Eric Lorena, Dodie Torres, Alberto Grezo, Marzan Rodriguez, Ciaonp Sanicol, Jay-R Aguilar, and Jose Bulilan were arrested for illegal tupada (cickfighting). The authorities found Php1,900, 12 cocks, and other materials needed for the cockfight. They will face violation charges under the Presidential Decree 449 which states that (f) Bettor A person who participates in cockfights and with the use of money or other things of value, bets with other bettors or through the bet taker or promoter and wins or loses his bet depending upon the result of the cockfight as announced by the Referee or Sentenciador. He may be the owner of a fighting cock.

Acting Chief of Police in Coron Municipal Police Station, Police Captain Ervin Plando that local residents in the barangay called the police to complain about the cockfight in their area. The Police immediately responded to the resident’s call. Upon arrival, bettors and other individuals ran in separate directions but arrested few.

In his interview, he said that “Pagdating namin ‘dun meron ngang illegal cockfighting activity, so ‘yun. Hindi naman natin kayang habulin lahat ng mga tao so, yun na nga sinasabi namin, swerte at malas. Swerte ang mga nakatakbo, malas naman sa mga inabot”.

“Cockfighting is an illegal activity, and when they do cockfighting siksikan ang mga tao so, very prone ang pagspread ng Covid.” he also added.

Illegal cockfighting also took place in the Municipality of Busuanga, Brooke’s Point, Sofronio Española, Roxas, Quezon, Aborlan, Coron, Roxas, and Puerto Princesa City. There are people arrested and some ran off.

Cockfighting has been one of the traditions of Filipinos during fiesta but oftentimes, it is also another way of gambling. Some of Pinoy's found it amusing, and there are television shows that offer cockfighting or online Sabong (cockfights). Because of this game, cock owners are encouraged to breed different kinds of fighting roosters and prepare them for battle.It is not only a famous game in a particular area but it is well-known across the country.

Under the Cockfighting Law of 1974 that was signed by the former President Ferdinand Marcos, cockfighting is legal but only during legal holidays, local fiestas, agricultural, commercial and industrial fairs, carnivals, or expositions.

This game has been around since 1951. It is a blood fight of two cockpits and the one who’ll survive the battle wins. It has been popular in ancient times in places like India, China, Persia, and other Eastern countries. Then, it was introduced into Ancient Greece in 524–460 BC (time of Themistocles).