Lacson lauds PNP for seeking charges vs cops allegedly involved in missing sabungeros

Presidential candidate and Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday lauded the Philippine National Police (PNP) for seeking charges against police officers who were allegedly involved in the missing sabong enthusiasts case.

“We commend the PNP kasi maski kabaro nila, kapwa pulis, kakasuhan nila. So ganon dapat, na kung mayroong krimen at kung talagang mayroong nasasangkot at nasasakdal, dapat isakdal,” Lacson said in an interview in Nueva Ecija.

(We commend the PNP because they are eyeing cases even against their colleagues. That's how it is supposed to be. If there is a crime, those who were linked should be prosecuted.)

The senator, who is also a former PNP chief, emphasized that those who were identified in the disappearances of at least 34 sabungeros should face charges as long as there was evidence supporting the allegations.

“Maski anong imbestigasyon, evidence-based ‘di ba? Kung ano ang abot ng ebidensya dapat file-an ng kaso,” he pointed out.

(All investigations should be evidence-based, right? So they should file cases against those who were linked as long as there is evidence.)

At a Senate hearing Monday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said investigators were preparing complaints against five policemen who were allegedly involved in the abduction of e-sabong master agent Ricardo Lasco in San Pablo City, Laguna.

According to CIDG Director Eliseo Cruz, at least four witnesses who were present during the incident positively identified the suspects through the photos presented by the CIDG in coordination with the Police Regional Office (PRO) Calabarzon.

Lasco was allegedly kidnapped by more or less 10 armed men in his residence in San Pablo City last August 30, 2021, the police said.

The missing sabungero’s relatives implicated at least two policemen who were present during the Senate's Monday hearing on Lacso’s case.

The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs is investigating the disappearances of some 34 cockfight enthusiasts.

Cruz informed the Senate panel on Monday that from six cases, investigators are now probing eight formal cases of missing e-sabong enthusiasts involving 34 individuals. — DVM, GMA News