Identified suspects in missing sabungeros case now 8, Año says

The Philippine National Police has identified a total of eight suspects in the disappearances of cockfight enthusiasts, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday.

“At least eight suspects na ang ating na-identify. Sa oras na makuha na natin ang sapat na ebidensya ay hihingin na natin ang tulong ng korte,”  Año said  during the Talk to the People taped on Tuesday and aired on Wednesday.

(At least eight suspects have been identified. When we obtain enough evidence, we will ask the help of the court.)

He said through a warrant of arrest, authorities will look for the suspects to shed light on the missing cockfight enthusiasts and hold those responsible for the disappearances accountable.

On March 4, the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said a witness identified six suspects in the disappearances of cockfight enthusiasts at Sta. Ana's Manila Arena.

CIDG director Police Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz said a witness implicated 14 persons in the disappearances.

The police are looking into six cases involving 31 missing cockfight enthusiasts: one case in Manila, four in Laguna, and one in Batangas.

Año presented some similarities among these cases such as the last location of missing persons were within the premises of cockpit arenas.

Most of the vehicles used by missing persons were abandoned near their residence.

All cockpit arenas being investigated are managed by the same administrator and operator, Año said. Concerned cockpit arenas also have non-functional or no installed closed circuit televisions (CCTVs).

Most persons of interest are either security or management personnel of cockpit arenas, Año added.

He said the PNP has created Special Investigation Group Sabungero to focus on the incidents of disappearances.—AOL, GMA News