Police release photos of 6 suspects in missing sabungeros case

Police on Tuesday released the photos of the six guards allegedly involved in the disappearance of the six sabungeros at the Manila Arena last year.

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "24 Oras," following the issuance of an arrest warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges, they are now the target of an intensified manhunt operation in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“We've been waiting for years to solve these problems, but we cannot give up. Nobody disappears without a trace,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has previously announced a P6 million reward for those who can provide information on the suspects.

Following the offer, Butch Inonog, father of the missing Jean Claude, said he received several phone calls.

“Isang 1:30, isang alas kwatro at isang alas-singko. Sila raw ay mga concerned citizen. Iisa ang lugar kung saan naruruon ang mga taong ito na hinahanap. Hindi na raw sila interesado sa reward, ang kanilang concern, mahuli ang mga tao na ito na namamayagpag pa sa lugar,” he said.

He also appealed to Dondon Patidongan's camp, who was not only involved in the case but was also seen with Michael Bautista in Laguna in April 2021 and remains missing.

“Napatawad ko na kayo sa mga ginawa niyo. Alam ko na hindi niyo rin kagustuhan yan, pero para mapadali ang ating problema, makipag particpate na kayo sa pulis,” Inonog added.

Meanwhile, Charlene Lasco, the sister of Jonjon Lasco, who was kidnapped from his home in San Pablo, Laguna, by at least ten people, urged the new director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to focus on the other police officers who were allegedly involved in the case.

Three police officers are currently detained at the San Pablo District Jail in Laguna.

Police Brigadier General Romeo Caramat Jr. said the CIDG had identified the possible mastermind behind the missing sabungeros.

“Ang panghahawakan natin dyan ay yung pinangako ni Mr. Ang. ‘Yun ang naring namin sa bibig nila na tutulong sila para magkaroon ng solusyon itong mga nawawalang tao,” Inonog added.

GMA News is still trying to get Ang for his reaction.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News