Police officer killed by rooster while breaking up cockfight

A police officer was killed by a rooster while trying to break up an illegal cockfight in the Philippines, authorities said.

The deceased Lieutenant Christian Bolok was hit by the gaff of a rooster — a metal blade attached to a bird for combat, said Police in the Northern Samar province.

The gaff hit Bolok's femoral artery while he was trying to confiscate the rooster, reported CNN.

A rooster is fitted with a razor sharp blade at a Philippines cockfight. Photo: CNN

"He was rushed to the regional hospital but, due to significant blood loss, was pronounced dead on arrival," added the police. 

There is a long history of both legal and illegal cockfighting in the Philippines, but the sport was banned in the region in August after it was found to have been a source of Covid-19 infections.

Illegal cockfights in the country are known as "tupada" and often operate in underground locations to avoid detection by authorities.

"I have a heavy heart as we have lost a brother who sacrificed his own life in the name of service," Northern Samar police provincial director Arnel Apud said in a statement sent to the government-run Philippines News Agency. "The (Philippine National Police) grieves the untimely death of Lt. Bolok and extends its deepest sympathy to his family and relatives."

Three people were arrested at the event and three more suspects were identified but remain at large after escaping the raid, the Philippines News Agency reported.

Officers confiscated seven fighting cocks and recovered 550 pesos ($11).

Bolok's police force posted images from a memorial service held for the officer on Wednesday.