CIDG: Cash offered to kin of missing sabungeros to drop probe

Families of 34 missing persons involved in cockfighting or “sabong” received calls offering cash in exchange for dropping the investigation, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said.

New CIDG director Police Brigadier General Ronald Lee, citing updates from the victims’ families, said the offer was made on the condition that they will no longer pursue the search for their missing relatives.

Lee said his office is validating the calls and numbers used by the callers but they could not be reached or contacted as of the moment.

“Sa pamamagitan ng ating patuloy na pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga pamilya ng mga nawawalang sabungero, buo ang kanilang suporta sa imbestigasyon at ang aming laban sa mga salarin ay hindi maiimpluwensyahan ng anumang bagay at ninuman,” Lee said in a statement on Tuesday.

(Through our constant communication with the families of the missing individuals, we have their full support on the investigation and our fight against the perpetrators will not be influenced by anything and anyone.)

The CIDG said it is waiting for the resolution of the two cases filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against suspects in the disappearances of the cockfight enthusiasts.

“Binibigyang priyoridad din natin ngayon ang pagkakilanlan ng lalaking nakuhanan ng CCTV habang nag-withdraw ng pera mula sa ATM account ni Melbert John Santos, isa sa mga nawawalang sabungero sa Sta. Cruz Laguna," Lee said.

(We are also prioritizing the identification of the man caught on CCTV while withdrawing money from the ATM account of Melbert John Santos, one of the missing sabungero in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.)

The CIDG said it would continue the investigation until the missing persons are found.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) initially reported that the missing cockfighting enthusiasts disappeared after participating in a cockfighting in Sta. Cruz on January 13.

The CIDG also encouraged possible witnesses to come voluntarily and reveal their information for the immediate resolution of the cases.—LDF, GMA News