Raps to be filed vs. 6 persons over missing 'sabungeros' this week, says PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said kidnapping and serious illegal detention complaints will be filed this week against six security personnel over the disappearances of cockfight enthusiasts at the Manila Arena.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will file the charges "anytime this week."

“Anytime this week po ay makakapagsampa na ng kaso ang CIDG patungkol po doon sa kaso ng mga nawawalang sabungero doon sa Manila Arena,” she said.

(The CIDG will file complaints in connection with the case of missing cockfight enthusiasts in Manila Arena)

“Ito pong mga pinangalanan at positively identified ng vital witness na ilan sa mga security personnel ng Manila Arena,” she added.

(The complaints will be filed against some of the security personnel of the Manila Arena who have been named and positively identified by a vital witness)

Fajardo said the witness already executed a sworn statement narrating how the missing persons were taken by the security personnel and placed into a van.

According to Fajardo, the suspects have denied involvement in the disappearances.

The complaints are for the case of the disappearances of Marlon Baccay, James Baccay, Mark Joseph Velasco, Rondel Cristorum, Rowel Gomez, and John Claude Inonog at the Manila Arena on January 13.

The CIDG are handling six cases involving missing "sabungeros."

According to Fajardo, authorities continue to investigate to identify the possible mastermind behind the disappearance or abduction of the cockfight enthusiasts.

As of March 4, the number of missing persons involved in cockfighting was at 34, authorities said. —KBK, GMA News