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Mayor’s office looks into alleged illegal cockfight
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Posted on Nov 18 2008
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela declined yesterday to issue a statement—at least for the moment—pending an investigation into the presence of an alleged illegal cockfight operation in San Antonio.
This was according to the mayor’s public information officer, Tony Benavente, who said that Tudela is not yet in a position to comment.
He said Tudela wants a full investigation into the issue and “we are still waiting for the report [by the Department of Public Safety].”
Cockfight gaming operator MaryAnn Calvo said the illegal cockfighting activity at the San Antonio beachside pavilion happened on Sunday. She said she was able to enter the area and saw the presence of a former congressman who is a current member of the Cockfight Board.
Benavente said that DPS is now conducting an investigation about cockfight gaming in the area, which is said to be notorious for hosting such illegal activities.
He said the mayor wants to review the whole report and will issue an official statement once everything is completed.
The Saipan Mayor’s Office authorizes only one person or entity to conduct cockfight operations, based on a public bidding process in accordance with the law.
Calvo’s cockfighting arena is the only one authorized to conduct cockfighting activities on Saipan.
Violators would be penalized $600 or imprisonment of not more than three months or both.
Calvo warned that nonresidents who engage in illegal cockfighting may also be subjected to deportation, based on immigration rules.
