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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cooperate or face charges, Año warns witnesses on missing 31 'sabungeros'

Cooperate or face charges, Año warns witnesses on missing 31 'sabungeros'

Published Feb 27, 2022 01:35 pm

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año warned on Sunday, Feb. 27 the persons with information on the 31 missing cockfight enthusiasts (sabungeros) to cooperate with authorities or run the risk of facing charges.

In an interview over GMA News, Año insisted that the case will be resolved as soon as possible if the witnesses would provide vital details to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which are now conducting investigation on the cases.

“Sa tingin ko, maso-solve na rin ito sa lalong madaling panahon. Ang hinihintay lang natin dito lumabas pa ‘yung witnesses (I think this will be resolved soon. We are just waiting for the witnesses to come out),’’ Año said.

He then urged the concerned parties to collaborate and volunteer any valuable information concerning the missing sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts) reminding them that this is 31 counts of kidnapping.

“Masyadong sobra na ito dahil 31 buhay ito at 31 pamilya ang naapektuhan at naghahanap ngayon at hindi makatulog (This is too much because 31 lives are involved and 31 families are affected, looking them and can’t sleep),’’ he added.

Further, Año appealed to anyone who might have inputs on the 31 missing sabungeros to assist authorities solve the case.

“Especially ‘yung mismong na-involve sa abduction na ‘to, ‘yung security guards diyan, ‘yung workers sa loob ng mga cockpit arena, kung may nalalaman kayo mag-step forward na kayo para hindi na kayo madamay sa kaso na ‘to kundi habang buhay na pagkabilanggo aabutin niyo dito (Especially to those involved in this abduction, the security guards, the workers inside the cockpit arenas, if you know anything step forward to spare yourselves from being dragged into this case or else you you may face a lifetime in prison),’’ he noted.

Earlier, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said the PNP has filed complaints of obstruction of justice against the management personnel of cockfight arenas over the disappearance of the sabungeros.

At the Feb. 24 Senate hearing of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, the father of one of the missing sabungeros claimed that the security guards of a Manila cockfight arena were the ones who abducted his son.

The next Senate hearing is set on March 3. (Chito A. Chavez)

Related Tags

Senate hearing NBI sabong PNP 31 missing cockfight enthusiasts DILG Eduardo Año 2
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