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PNP says due process to be followed after 2 cops tagged in kidnapping of sabungeros

Philippines | National

PNP says due process to be followed after 2 cops tagged in kidnapping of sabungeros

By Aaron Recuenco

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday, March 22, that it is yet to validate the involvement of some Laguna policemen in some of the kidnappings of cockfighting players (sabungeros) and online "sabong" agents.

In a statement, the PNP said due process is still to be upheld despite the testimony of the witnesses that identified at least two policemen in the actual abduction.

"The PNP will not take the witnesses’ accounts lightly, but the organization will have to make sure that due process is upheld," said Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, chief of the PNP-Public Information Office.

"Names of PNP personnel have floated during the legislative inquiry but we will need to validate these information more thoroughly," he added.

During the Senate hearing on Monday, March 22, witnesses tagged Police Staff Sgt. Darryl Paghangaan and Patrolman Roy Navarrete as the ones who abducted their kin and even robbed them. The two cops used to be connected with the Provincial Intelligence Bureau of the Laguna Police Provincial Office.

During the investigation of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), its director Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz said they found the accounts of the witnesses credible in connection with the abduction of their online sabong agent relatives.

He said criminal and administrative charges will be filed against them.

"We are confident that soon enough, we will find out the truth behind this case," said Alba.

A total of 34 cockfighting players and online sarong agents were abducted in Manila, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal since last year. All of them are still missing.

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