PNP reiterates commitment to solve cases of missing sabungeros

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has reiterated its commitment to continue searching for the missing sabungeros (cockfighting aficionados) and put the perpetrators behind bars.

“The PNP remains steadfast in their search for the missing sabungeros as suspects in the case have been issued warrants of arrest,” PNP public information chief Col. Redrico Maranan said.

The case of the missing sabungeros includes the alleged kidnapping of six victims—James E. Baccay, Marlon E. Baccay, Rondel F. Cristorum, Mark Joseph L. Velasco, John Claude Venson Inonog and Rowel Gomez that occurred at the Manila Arena in Sta. Ana, Manila on Jan. 13, 2022.

The Department of Justice has issued a 15-page resolution saying state prosecutors have found probable cause to indict six suspects for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code.

The suspects were identified as Julie Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion and Roberto Matillano Jr.

However, the complaint against two others identified as Jonas A. Alingasa and Herolden Alonto was dismissed for insufficiency of evidence.

According to the resolution, the prosecutors considered the testimonies of witnesses and CCTV footage from different barangays that showed the forcible abduction.

The victims’ cell phone conversations with their kin during the time they were abducted, the testimony of a witness who identified the suspects, CCTV footage showing a black and a gray van followed by a silver Toyota Wigo that left the Manila Arena, the short lapse of time as shown in the CCTV footage, and the victims’ disappearance since the abduction were all cited as circumstances that may prove the suspects’ guilt.

The case of Inonog, Baccay brothers, Cristorum, Velasco, and Gomez was one of eight cases handled by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Special Investigation Task Group (CIDG-SITG)

“Sabungero”. The SITG “Sabungero” encourages everyone with information regarding the case to come forward and help in the investigation.

Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr gave that the investigation would continue and that they would build a strong case against the suspects.