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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Probe into 34 missing 'sabungeros' back on track with arrest of 6 suspects in Parañaque-- PNP

Probe into 34 missing 'sabungeros' back on track with arrest of 6 suspects in Parañaque-- PNP

Published Sep 16, 2023 08:33 am

The investigation into the missing cockfighting players is now back on track with the arrest of six men tagged in the disappearance of the “sabungeros” during two separate police operations in Parañaque City, an official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr. said that with the reports that some people have been bribing potential witnesses to keep their mouth shut, the arrest of the six somehow assures that the investigation to identify the mastermind and other responsible would not be an exercise in futility.

“With this development, the investigation will have a direction and hopefully this will convince, or this would encourage other witnesses to be dedicated to provide information,” said Acorda.

He was referring to the arrest of security guards Julie Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion and Roberto Matillano Jr. in two safehouses in Parañaque City.

The six former security guards of the Manila Arena were among the respondents for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the abduction of six cockfighting players. 

Acorda said two other people were collared and are now facing obstruction of justice for providing shelter to the six suspects.

The abduction at the Manila Arena last year was among the series of cases of kidnapping of 34 cockfighting players. Police earlier said the kidnapping was related to allegations of game-fixing for online sabong during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Acorda said they are hoping that the suspects would cooperate in the investigation for the PNP to finally identify the file charges against the mastermind and other suspects.

“The most effective way to connect the mastermind is the suspects themselves. So I am hoping that they will talk,” said Acorda.

“There are some indications that they would talk but we just want to wait and anything that they will say is of course it needs the assistance of a lawyer,” he added.

Related Tags

Philippine National Police missing sabungeros
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