Master agent abducted after stealing online sabong video, says accused

Ricardo “Jon-Jon” Lasco, a master agent, was abducted for stealing and monetizing online sabong video, one of the accused in the missing sabungeros case told GMA Integrated News.

In Emil Sumangil’s exclusive “24 Oras” report on Thursday, alias Totoy revealed that P2 million was paid to abduct Lasco in San Pablo, Laguna, in August 2021.

Totoy said 44-year-old Lasco was abducted to find out his involvement in the stolen online sabong broadcast.

“Si Lasco kasi nagnakaw ng video yan. May sarili siyang site na ninakaw niya yung video at nagpapataya din siya ng malaking porsyento ng wala siyang kahirap-hirap. Humina yung sense nung pet master, pinahanap,” Totoy said. 

(Lasco stole a video. He has his site where he uploaded the stolen video and gets a big percentage without putting in any effort from the bets. The pet master's income weakened, so he was abducted.)

Totoy said he paid P2 million to a group he refused to name. He also did not reveal the one who ordered him to abduct Lasco.

“Ako mismo sa kanya nagbayad sa kanya. Una, P2 million. Kulang ng P2 million sir gawa ng maraming tao ang ginamit dito (I personally paid him P2 million first, but it is still not enough since many are involved),” Totoy said.

Totoy also showed a video of Lasco being abducted to GMA Integrated News, but due to its sensitivity, it was not aired.

In the investigation of the Special Investigation Task Group Sabungero, three police officers were charged for their alleged involvement in Lasco’s abduction.

Totoy also spoke to Lasco’s family via phone call. 

Despite the unfortunate news, Lasco’s family said their hope in attaining justice was revived. 

Asked of Lasco’s whereabout, Totoy said, “Sa totoo lang ‘nay, tulad ng sinabi ko kahapon, wala na tayong pag-asa na mabuhay pa ang naka niyo dahil wala na siya. Pasensya na kayo ‘nay at masakit din para sa akin na mawalan ng pamilya pero ‘nay ako ang susi ng lahat at makamit ninyo ang hustisiya.”

(To be honest, like I said yesterday, there’s no more hope for him to be alive because he’s gone. I’m sorry. I’m also in pain to lose a family member. But I’m the key to everything and to helping you achieve justice.)

Charlene, Lasco’s sister, said they believe that Totoy is a credible source because he has some personal knowledge about her brother. 

“Ito po 'yung inaantay nila. 'Pag hindi kayo kumilos dito, ibang usapan na naman ito (this is what we’ve been waiting for. If no one responds to it, we might miss our chance),” Charlene said.

“Jon-Jon, anak, ito na ang pagkakataon. Dininig na ng Panginoon. Kadugtong ng buhay ko, anak, ang makita ka pa kahit na buto na lang. Tanggap ko na. Sana bago ako pumanaw, malaman ko kung nasaan ka,” said Maria Carmelita, Lasco’s mother. 

(Jon-Jon, this is our chance. The Lord has heard our prayers. I long to see you, even if it is just your bones. I already accepted it. I hope that before I passed, I would know where you are.)

Lasco’s family appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to once again open the case of the missing sabungeros.

“Ginoong Pangulo, kami po ay nalilikluhod sa inyo. Hindi po namin inaasahan ang milagro. Ang hinihingi lang po namin ay isang malasakit, ang iyong pakiusapan ang inyong mga ahensya na muling buksan ang imbestigasyon," Charlene said.

"General Torre kayo na po ang pangwalong PNP chief na naupo mula nang pumutok ang kaso ng mga nawawalng sabungero kaya't kami nanawagan, kailan po kikilis ang PNP? Hinihiling po namin ang isang formal na case conference,” she added.

(Mr. President, we are appealing to you. We are not asking for a miracle. All we are asking for is compassion, that you urge your agencies to reopen the investigation. Police General Nicolas Torre III, You are now the eighth PNP chief to take office since the case of the missing sabungeros broke out. That is why we are appealing, when will the PNP take action? We are requesting a formal case conference.)

The PNP said it is ready to assist in protecting the witness who will help in the case. –GMA Integrated News