6 security guards behind missing ‘sabungeros’ nabbed in Parañaque

ROGUES GALLERY Police show the six former security guards accused in the abduction of six ‘sabungeros.’ —PHOTO FROM PNP-CIDG

Six security guards accused of abducting six of the 34 missing cockfighting enthusiasts were arrested on Friday, more than a year after the “sabungeros” had disappeared.

Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police, hoped the arrest would give hope to the families of the missing sabungeros who continue to seek justice for their loved ones.

“To the families of the victims, I hope that this development will convince them further to be strong, and to help us to really strengthen the cases against them,” he said.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame on Friday, Acorda said the six accused—Julie Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion and Roberto Matillano Jr.—were arrested by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in two separate “safe houses” in Parañaque City around 1:45 p.m. on Friday.

No bail recommended

The six former security guards of the Manila Arena were served a warrant of arrest issued by Manila Regional Trial Court-Branch 40 for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. No bail was recommended for their release.

Two other companions of the accused, Melchor Neri and Victorino Jocosol, were also arrested for obstruction of justice.

The six accused underwent booking procedures at the CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame and transferred to the custody of CIDG Regional Field Unit for Calabarzon at Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City, Laguna, while awaiting a commitment order from the court.

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By Dexter Cabalza

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