Police officer killed by rooster at illegal cockfight

A police chief in the Philippines has been killed in a freak accident while trying to seize evidence at an illegal cockfight.

A police chief in the Philippines has been killed by a rooster in a freak accident while breaking up an illegal cockfight.

A sharp blade attached to the bird cut an artery in his leg, officials said.

Lieutenant Christian Bolok, the chief of the San Jose police force, bled to death in Madugang village after the blade, called a gaff, sliced his femoral artery, Northern Samar provincial Governor Edwin Ongchuan said.

RELATED: 400 roosters seized in Melbourne cockfighting raid

“He was trying to confiscate the roosters but the problem was the rooster’s blade may have been laced with poison,” Gov Ongchuan said.

Police tried to slow the blood loss by tying a cloth tightly around Bolok’s leg, he said, but they may have applied it in the wrong spot.

Lt Christian Bolok was killed by a rooster armed with a metal blade while attempting to break up an illegal cockfight. Picture: Northern Samar Police Provincial

Cockfighting is a popular blood sport in the Philippines. Money is bet on the outcome of a fight, with birds often battling to the death.

Three farmers who had been taking part in the illegal fight were arrested and three others were being sought.

Authorities seized seven roosters, a pair of gaffs and 550 pesos – about $A16 – in cash, officials said.

Police have been cracking down on illegal cockfights, as the gatherings have been blamed for helping spread coronavirus in the Eastern Visayas province.

People watch a cockfight at the world's first international cockfighting championships in Chonburi, Thailand.

Ongchuan and local government officials praised Lt Bolok’s work in enforcing safeguards to fight coronavirus infections.

“We grieve with our provincial police in the loss of such a committed and selfless officer whose enforcement of our community quarantine regulations has cost him his life,” Gov Ongchuan, who provided financial help to Lt Bolok’s family, said in a statement.

Northern Samar police provincial chief Arnel Apud expressed his sorrow over Lt Bolok’s death, CNN reported.

“I have a heavy heart as we have lost a brother who sacrificed his own life in the name of service,” Chief Apud said in a statement. “The (Philippine National Police) grieves the untimely death of Lt Bolok and extends its deepest sympathy to his family and relatives.

“I could not believe it when it was first reported to me. This is the first time in my 25 years as a policeman that I lost a man due to a fighting cock’s spur.

“It was an unfortunate accident and a piece of bad luck that I cannot explain,” he said.

Lt Bolok’s police force posted photographs from a memorial service held for the officer.

Cockfights, known as “tupada”, are popular gambling activities in many parts of the Philippines.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, some were licensed but many also were illegal. However in a bid to stop the spread of the virus all such events are now banned.

The Philippines has recorded more than 375,000 COVID-19 infections, the second-highest in Southeast Asia, and at least 7114 deaths.

– with the New York Post