Bato dela Rosa presses e-sabong probe

Sen. Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa  (PHOTO FROM VIDEO OF SENATE PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will continue investigating the cases of disappearances until it pins down the mastermind behind the abduction of at least 34 persons over their alleged involvement in online “sabong” game fixing activities, Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said on Saturday.

While Dela Rosa welcomed the filing of criminal charges against six security personnel, he is not convinced that the guards carried out the abductions upon orders of their superiors.

“Presumably, the suspect guards received instructions, but we still need to establish this as a fact. But think about it: will a mere security guard do something as wicked as this?” he said.

Dela Rosa made the statement as the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, which he chairs, is set to resume on Monday its investigation of the alleged abduction of the 34 e-sabong aficionados, including a 14-year old male.

He said the filing of charges against six security personnel who were earlier identified by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group was a “welcome development,” but the case should not end with the guards, who, he said, might have just received instructions.

Dela Rosa is wary that the brains behind the abductions will run scot-free if the Senate investigation is not brought to a conclusion.

He said the committee was locating other witnesses who can shed light on the disappearance of the victims, including those who supposedly escaped a possible abduction after they were held by the management of cockpit arenas where they were last seen.

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