Witness narrates alleged abduction of several missing sabungeros

A witness who is under the protective custody of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) named some of those allegedly involved in abducting several sabungeros at the Manila Arena on January 13, 2022.

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "24 Oras", the witness known as "Arvie" said that he saw the abduction since he was just in the nearby cock house.

Arvie said he saw the suspects herd Marlon Baccay, Mark Joseph Velasco, Rondel Cristorum, and Rowel Gomez into a van.

The witness said he did not see James Baccay and John Claude Inonog being taken.

“Noong naabutan ko sila, malapit na sila sa basement," said Arvie. "Sinisilip ko na lang ho sila, nakita ko yung sasakyan bukas. Doon sila pinapasakay tapos yung mga gamit nung biktima may mga nagbababa din.”

“Yung kahulihulihan pong bumama sila Dondon saka sila Zabala,” added Arvie, naming suspects Julie Patidongan and Mark Carlo Zabala.

Patidongan and Zabala were among the nine guards charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention by the Department of Justice.

Arvie also said that he knew the suspects personally.

“Kaya po po sinundan yung mga tao na 'yon, kasi po kakilala ko po talaga. Tapos nung walang wala po ako, don naman ako sa kanila lumapit noon,” he said.

He also asserted that many people saw the incident and closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) in the area likely recorded the whole incident.

Arvie said he was not afraid to tell the truth because his family was with him in protective custody and knows he is doing the right thing.

“Nasa tama naman ako eh. Kasi kung 'di ako tutulong sa kanila, pwede rin akong pakialaman ng kabila. Eh nandito naman po ako sa batas, dito na lang po ako natingin sa kanila,” he added.

GMA News is attempting to contact Patidongan and Zabala for their comments on the matter. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA News