8 suspects linked to missing ‘sabungeros’ face kidnapping, illegal detention raps

Three witnesses who came forward and linked 8 suspects to the disappearance of six cockfight enthusiasts who went missing last January 2022 take their oath before testifying at the Senate public order committee hearing on Mar. 21, 2022. Screengrab from Senate livestream

MANILA, Philippines — Kidnapping and illegal detention cases have been filed against eight suspects tagged in the disappearance of six cockfight enthusiasts, the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) told senators Monday.

During the resumption of the Senate public order committee hearing into the disappearance of over 30 cockfight enthusiasts, CIDG Director Eliseo Cruz said a total of three witnesses came forward and identified eight suspects.

Cruz said kidnapping and serious illegal detention are punishable under Article 268 of the Revised Penal Code was filed against the identified 8 suspects and other John Does before the Department of Justice on Mar. 18.

“Three witnesses surfaced in this case and executed their sworn statements identifying the suspects who are responsible in this case,” Cruz said.

“Based on the sworn statements of a vital witness, he identified six suspects while two other witnesses also identified two other suspects,” he added.

READ:  CIDG filing raps vs 6 suspects in missing ‘sabungeros’ case

These suspects were linked by witnesses to the disappearance of six cockfight enthusiasts who were last seen at the Manila Arena last Jan. 13. 2022.

To “ensure an airtight case for the prosecution of the suspects,” legal officers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and CIDG “investigators thoroughly reviewed the sworn statements of the witnesses and other pieces of evidence,” according to Cruz.

The disappearance of the six cockfight players is among the eight cases being handled by the CIDG. These cases involve a total of 34 missing individuals.

“There are now 8 cases being handled by the CIDG involving 34 reported missing persons engaged in e-sabong within the period of April 18, 2021, to January 13, 2022,” Cruz said.

Following the “sensational disappearances and abductions involving sabungeros” in Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, and Batangas,” the CIDG created a special investigation task group “to spearhead the investigative efforts of the [PNP] for the successful prosecution of these cases and eventual conviction of the suspects,” the CIDG director told the Senate committee.

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