National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) building. (INQUIRER.net file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will be submitting within two weeks the initial report on its investigation on the disappearance of over 30 “sabungeros” or cockfighting enthusiasts, the agency’s deputy director said Thursday.
To recall, Malacañang, in a memorandum dated March 8, directed the Philippine National Police and the NBI to submit their findings to the Office of the President and the Department of Justice within 30 days.
“Magsusumite kami ng (We will be submitting a) status report. I am not privy doon sa (to the) exact date of 30 days but I would suppose in the next two weeks we will be able to come up with an initial report,” NBI deputy director and spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.
He said two divisions of the NBI are investigating the case of the missing “sabungeros.”
On March 9, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra also said the NBI has found a “lead” in its investigation.
“Mayroon kaming tinitingnan na lead at mayroong witnesses na medyo sensitibo pa ito. Doon sa isang imbestigasyon tinitingnan, kasi ito ‘yung sinasabi na pineke ‘yung Gcash kaya walang pumapasok doon sa proceeds ng kita. It’s being handled by NCR [office],” said Lavin.
(We are looking at a lead and we have witnesses but this is still sensitive information. In one of the investigations, we are looking at a fake Gcash account. That’s why no proceeds are being remitted. It’s being handled by our National Capital Region office.)
“’Yung isa naman, ‘yung investigation doon sa pagkawala ay under ng aming Special Operations Group,” he added.
(The other investigation on the disappearance of the cockfighters is under the Special Operations Group).
The PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is also set to file on Friday a complaint against eight suspects in the disappearance of the cockfighting enthusiasts.