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DOJ seeks rearrest of 6 accused in cases of missing 'sabungeros'

Philippines | National

DOJ seeks rearrest of 6 accused in cases of missing 'sabungeros'

By Jeffrey Damicog

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked the Manila regional trial court (RTC) to order the rearrest of six persons charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention in the 2022 cases of missing "sabungeros" (cockfighting enthusiasts).

Sought to be rearrested were accused Julie Patidongan, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Roberto Matillano Jr., Gleer Cordilla and Johnry Consolacion.

They were allowed to post bail by the RTC in December 2023 and February 2024. The grant of bail was challenged by the DOJ before the Court of Appeals (CA) which reversed the RTC.

DOJ Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon on Wednesday, Jan. 29, said the plea for the rearrest of the six accused was manifested orally during a trial court hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

The charges against the six accused arose from the disappearance of six “sabungeros” in Manila in 2022. Those missing were identified as Mark Joseph Velasco, Marlon Baccay, James Baccay, Rowel Gomez, John Claude Inonog, and Rondel Cristorum.

In reversing the RTC on the grant of bail, the CA said: "We found that the respondent judge gravely abused her discretion when she granted private respondents' petition for bail notwithstanding the presence of strong evidence of guilt.”

“We emphasize that when the grant of bail is a matter of discretion, not a matter of right, the power must be exercised with great care and caution because of the risk and stakes involved, especially when the crime is a serious one,” the CA stressed. .

Philippine National Police (PNP) records show that there were 34 "sabungeros" who have been declared missing since 2021.

Related Tags

sabungeros DOJ

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