The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is eyeing double cross as the motive behind the disappearance of at least 29 cockfight aficionados in Metro Manila and three other provinces.

CIDG director Police Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said that the initial investigation conducted by his men pointed to double-cross in cockfighting, locally referred to as "tyope", wherein players would connive and bet on their opponent instead of placing their bets on their own.

Ferro said the first incident reported was at the Manila Arena on Jan. 14, followed by a series of disappearances of cockfighting players in Laguna, Batangas and Rizal.

So far, he said all the missing cockfighting players are yet to be found.

"Some of the possible persons of interest that we have been looking for were those who were cheated," said Ferro in an interview over Radyo5.

He said they have already interviewed one of the persons of interest.

At the course of the probe, Ferro said they have identified a cockfighting operator who had reportedly withdrew some P200 million bets. The operator, he said, was either already in hiding, or, was also kidnapped.

He added that most of the missing cockfighting players are connected to an online sabong (cockfighting) company.

"We have already subpoenaed CCTV (closed-circuit television) footages as part of our investigation," said Ferro.

Ferro said they are now coordinating with the relatives of the victims and other people who could shed light on the incident.