Match-fixing probably behind disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts in Manila - police

Police are investigating match-fixing as a probable motive for the disappearance of some cockfight enthusiasts in Manila last week, according to Emil Sumangil's report on "24 Oras" on Friday.

"Nagbibitaw yata sila ng manok na hindi maayos. Siyempre napapataya siguro doon sa kabilang side," said Police Colonel Randy Glenn Silvio of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region.

(The roosters used in cockfights were probably not that good. So, they bet on the other side.)

The CIDG identified the missing six men as Marlon Baccay, James Baccay, Mark Joseph Velasco, Rondel Cristorum, Rowel Gomez, and John Claude Inonog.

The men have been missing since January 13.

Police Lieutenant Wilfredo Fabros Jr., chief of CIDG-Manila, earlier said the relatives of the missing six men received a call from an anonymous person, who informed them that their relatives were allegedly taken to a white van.

The white van was then found in Tanay, Rizal, which prompted the CIDG to visit the area for investigation.

Authorities also visited the Manila Arena to secure statements from the security guards and copies of the CCTV footage.

Meanwhile, the police identified a certain Julius Jovillo, the group's alleged financier, as a person of interest in the case.

"Accordingly, siya raw ang may-ari ng isang farm sa Tanay, Rizal at siya ang nag recruit sa dalawang Baccay brothers" Silvio said.

(Accordingly, he owns a farm in Tanay, Rizal, and is the recruiter of the Baccay brothers.)

On Thursday, GMA News went to Jovillo's property only to be told that he could no longer be reached.

Silvio said the incident could also be connected to the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts in Laguna and Quezon. — VBL, GMA News