MANILA, Philippines?The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has started its search for new witnesses who could help crack the 10-year-old mystery of the disappearance of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) employee Edgar Bentain.

NBI deputy director for intelligence lawyer Ruel Lasala pointed out that the task is daunting as bureau agents have to ?backtrack? on a crime that happened more than 10 years ago.

The Justice department has tapped the agency to reopen the investigation into Bentain?s abduction and disappearance on Jan. 16, 1999 under Task Force Bentain. The Pagcor video technician was kidnapped in front of the Grand Boulevard Hotel in Manila.

He was reportedly responsible for the video footage taken on Sept. 15, 1996, at the VIP lounge of the Heritage Hotel casino where then Vice President Joseph Estrada was shown playing high-stakes baccarat with Charlie ?Atong? Ang and casino general manager Butch Tenorio.

The Bentain family previously accused agents of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF), headed by then Philippine National Police chief and now Sen. Panfilo Lacson, to be behind the abduction.