Number of missing sabungeros under PNP investigation rises to 20

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said that 10 more cockfight enthusiasts from Bulacan went missing aside from the 10 who were earlier reported in Laguna and Manila.

In a statement, the PNP said its Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is now intensifying its probe into the disappearance of these individuals.

“The plot thickens when ten men from Bulacan who were engaged in a cockfight are added to the list of missing individuals. Their kin said that it has been more than eight months now since their disappearance,” the PNP said.

According to the PNP, the 10 men went to the same cockfighting arena in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

The PNP initially reported an incident involving four men who were reported missing after participating in a cockfight game in Sta. Cruz on January 13.

“CCTV footage from the arena showed that the vehicle used by the victims was seen exiting the coliseum but it was not clear if the victims were inside the vehicle,” it said.

On the same day, six men also went missing after participating in a cockfighting tournament in Manila.

PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos noted a pattern in the incidents.

“The CIDG is now connecting the dots. These incidents do have a lot in common. We will find out if there is a syndicate behind these cases,” Carlos said.

To identify the possible handlers or financiers of the missing men, the CIDG appealed to the owners of the cockfighting arena to cooperate in the investigation. —KBK, GMA News