Presidential candidate and Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday said failing to resolve the case of the 31 missing online cockfight enthusiasts would be a “big slap” to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Lacson, a former PNP chief, said this at the opening of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee, which conducted an initial investigation into the rising number of ‘e-sabong’ player reported missing.

“Thirty-one reported missing persons as of latest count, without any trace apparently, is a big challenge to the PNP and the entire law enforcement community. Failing to resolve these cases will be a big slap or an embarrassment to the PNP as well,” Lacson said at the hearing presided by Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

“So I hope this legislative inquiry can help resolve the issue at hand. With that thank you very much for the opportunity to make that statement,” Lacson said.

Dela Rosa, also a former PNP chief, called on the PNP to double its efforts to resolve the disappearance of the cockfight enthusiasts, noting that not a single case has not been solved yet.

“I’m urging you to please double time your effort baka may ma-recover pa tayong buhay dito (We might be able to save more lives),” Dela Rosa said in his opening statement.

“You are the Philippine National Police. No one can stop you in your investigation. So double time your efforts because the entire country is watching your investigation and hoping that you can resolve these cases soon,” added Dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa also warned those behind the disappearances of at least 39 individuals to release the victims and allow them to go back to their families, saying the long arm of the law is bound to catch them.

“You can run, but definitely you cannot hide,” the senator said.