NBI inspects e-sabong venues where missing enthusiasts were last seen

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) inspected several online cockfighting or e-sabong venues as part of their investigation into the several dozen missing cockfighting enthusiasts.

According to John Consulta’s “24 Oras Weekend” report on Saturday, the NBI – National Capital Region (NCR) conducted an ocular inspection in the two Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc. e-sabong venues.

The company was owned by gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang.

Some of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts were last seen in the three venues of the company.

The company authorized the NBI agents to inspect the Manila Arena from its entrance, staging area of the roosters before the fight, and the arena where the VIPs watched matches.

The venues’ parking lot was also inspected, including the X-ray machines used, and the area where the gaffer or “mananari” inspected the roosters before the match.

Among the focus of the investigation is the installed CCTV cameras. However, the cameras had only been installed in the previous two weeks.

“Pag-aaralan po natin ng masusi yung mga nakikita natin na pwedeng isama sa ating imbestigasyon at kung ano mang nakita nating kapaki-kapakinabang upang malutas natin ang problemang ito,” Agent Wally Palattao, NBI-NCR special investigator 3, said.

(We will carefully study the case and gather everything that will help in our investigation to solve this matter.)

Authorities said there were several persons of interest identified in relation to the missing individuals.

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, citing the police, earlier said the number of missing persons involved in cockfighting had risen from 31 to 34.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) initially reported an incident involving four men who were reported missing after participating in a cockfight game in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, on January 13.

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

When the CIDG investigation started, more reports of missing cockfight enthusiasts came in, like the 10 individuals in Bulacan who disappeared eight months ago after attending a match at the same arena in Sta. Cruz. — Richa Noriega/DVM, GMA News