The Philippine National Police (PNP vowed to work closely with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the case of 29 missing sabungeros (cockfighting players) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said the cooperation will start with information-sharing using the pieces of evidence obtained by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
The CIDG is taking the lead in the probe of the missing cockfighting players, starting with the first case of six men who were allegedly kidnapped at the Manila Arena last month.
“We already have the accounts of witnesses and other pieces of evidence which can aid in the probe. If they will request, then we will gladly share notes," said Carlos.
"We see this as a welcome development to work hand-in-hand in resolving these cases,” he added.
CIDG director Police Maj. Gen. Albert Ferro earlier said that they are looking into game-fixing as the reason behind the abduction of the 29 cockfighting players.
He said that all of them were connected to an online sabong (cockfighting) company and were accused to be involved in game-fixing wherein they would ensure that the fighting cocks they would put in the arena would lose.
"The PNP has been adamant in getting into the bottom of this string of incidents, but there are vital information that are yet to be extracted from the concerned cockpit management where the missing persons were last seen," said Carlos.
Nevertheless, the PNP assures the worried families that it is exhausting all efforts to locate the missing persons and arrest those who are behind this," he added.
Aside from the NBI, the Senate, through former PNP chief and now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, is planning to conduct an investigation into the incident.
The 29 cockfighting players are yet to be found.
"The PNP will also cooperate in the senate probe that aims to look into the matter. We will be transparent with the case update and all evidence on hand,” Carlos said.