PNP hoping to get lead on the 'mastermind' in missing sabungeros case

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is hoping to get a lead on the mastermind in the cases of missing sabungeros or cockfighting after the arrest of six suspects in Parañaque City.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Benjamin Acorda said some of the arrested suspects are willing to divulge further information on the matter.

He also said that the owners of the houses where the suspects were nabbed could also possibly face complaints of obstruction of justice if proven that they sheltered the suspects.

Meanwhile, according to Marisol Abdurahman's report on 24 Oras on Saturday, one of the partners of the missing sabungeros believes that the arrest may have been "planted" as part of efforts to dismiss the cases.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Julie Patidongan, Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Roberto Matillano, Jr., Johnry Consolacion, and Gleer Codilla might have been planted.

GMA Integrated News tried to reach out to the arrested suspects, but they refused to comment.

Their lawyer, Atty. Angelo Santos, however, denied the claim.

“Evidently, such allegation is not true. They were arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest and now detained,” Santos said.

Santos said he has not yet spoken to his clients following their arrest in two different subdivisions in Parañaque. He also declined to comment further as the cases against his clients are still pending in court.

According to a separate report by Mav Gonzales, the suspects, who were former security guards, are currently detained at the CIDG Region 4A.

the PNP-CIDG located the whereabouts of the suspects through an informant. The suspects were arrested following a two-month surveillance operation.

The families of missing sabungeros John Claude Inonog, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, Rowel Gomez, and brothers James Baccay and Marlon Baccay filed formal complaints against the six security officers at the Manila Arena over their disappearance in January 2022.

Complaints for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention were filed on March 18, 2022 against the six suspects before the Department of Justice.

The PNP encouraged anyone with information regarding the case to approach them, adding that they will ensure their protection once they come out in the open. —Jamil Santos/ VAL, GMA Integrated News