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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider CIDG gets breakthrough in probe into 34 missing sabungeros through secret phone video

CIDG gets breakthrough in probe into 34 missing sabungeros through secret phone video

Published Dec 1, 2022 05:54 pm

A video secretly taken through a smartphone became a major breakthrough in the continuous investigation into the missing cockfighting players, or sabungeros, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) disclosed on Thursday, Dec. 1.

CIDG director Police Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee said the video resulted in the identification of the two men leading who appears to be one of the missing sabungero in handcuffs out of a cockfighting arena in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on April 28 last year.

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"With this, we now hold a vital evidence on our investigation into the disappearance of the said sabungero," said Lee.

During a case conference, Lee said the handcuffed man was identified by his relatives as Michael Bautista, one of the 34 missing sabungeros who were forcibly taken in Metro Manila, Laguna and Rizal.

Lee said Bautista was identified by his wife and brother through his haircut, body built and his personal belongings.

The official said the video also resulted in the production of computerized facial composites of the two suspects seen leading Bautista out of the cockfighting arena.

"With the video on hand and through the computerized facial composites of the suspects, CIDG probers now have leads on the identity of the two men while enhancement of the said cellphone video is ongoing at the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group," said Lee.

"A criminal complaint against the suspects is currently being prepared for filing before the Department of Justice," he added.

The CIDG has been given the task to solve the case of the 34 missing sabungeros, And probers said the investigation has been very difficult from the start as no witness is willing to shed light, apparently out of fear of repercussions.

But based on the case analysis, the abductions of the sabungeros, who remain missing until now, was a case of a crackdown over allegations of game-fixing.

Some policemen were also tagged as in cahoots with the perpetrators, as in the case of Ricardo Lasco, a cockfighting operator, who was forcibly taken from his house in Laguna last year.

Five policemen were charged in connection with the kidnapping of Lasco while eight more people were charged in connection with the disappearance of six sabungeros at the Manila Arena.

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