PNP identifies 8 suspects in disappearance of 31 cockfight enthusiasts

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MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified eight suspects in the disappearances of 31 enthusiasts of e-sabong or online cockfighting, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said.

“Nais naming ibalita, Mr. President, at least eight suspects na ang ating na-identify,” Año told President Rodrigo Duterte during the address to the nation aired Wednesday.

(We would like to report, Mr. President, at least eight suspects have been identified.)

“Sa oras na makuha na natin ang sapat na ebidensya ay hihingin na natin ang tulong ng korte at sa bisa ng mga warrant, agad nating hahanapin ang mga suspects na ito upang mabigyang linaw na ang mga insidente at mapatawan ng hustisya ang mga responsable dito,” he added.

(By the time that we get sufficient evidence, we will ask for the help of the courts and with the warrants’ effect, we will immediately find the suspects to shed light on the incidents and to serve justice.)

READ: PNP adds two more in list of ‘missing sabungeros’

Año explained that the PNP found the following similarities on the disappearances of the 31 cockfight aficionados:

-the last location of missing cockfighters were within the premises of cockpit arenas

-most of the vehicles used by the missing people were abandoned near their areas of residence

-all cockpit arenas being probed are managed by the same administrator and operator

-involved cockpit arenas have not installed or have non-functional closed-circuit television

-most persons of interest are either security or management personnel of cockpit arenas

Despite the Senate’s move to suspend e-sabong operations, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said that operations will continue pending the result of the investigation.

EDV