PNP-CIDG still considers 34 ‘sabungeros’ as missing

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Wednesday said the 34 cockfight enthusiasts who disappeared since 2021 are still considered missing.

“I don't want na bigyan po kayo ng pag-asa, ng (I don’t want to give you) false hope. We will still pray for a miracle,” CIDG director Police Brigadier General Ronald Lee said in a press conference.

“Yes, missing pa rin. Unless may makita po tayo na ebidensya, na body of evidence ay missing pa rin po (Yes, they are still tagged as missing, unless we see a body of evidence, they are still considered as missing),” he added.

On Monday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said “dead" may be a more precise term to describe the 34 "sabungeros."

Remulla issued the remark as he was discussing the possibility of applying international humanitarian law in relation to the cockfighting enthusiasts' “enforced disappearances.”

“Because of the nature of the case, you don’t have a body of the person that is missing, because the person is missing, so the presumption of death should be very strong already, at this point,” he said.

“In fact, I wouldn’t even want to call them anymore missing sabungeros, but probably dead sabungeros. That’s a—might be a  more precise term to describe these people,” he added.

Lee said Remulla is just being “truthful” because the cockfight enthusiasts have been missing for a long time without any proof of life.

Citing his experience in anti-kidnapping operations, the CIDG chief said suspects usually do not keep their victims for a long time especially for kidnap-for-ransom or other intentions.

Meanwhile, Lee said more complaints will be filed soon against suspects Julie Patidongan or “Dondon” and seven security guards in connection with the Manila Arena case.

Initially, complaints have been filed against eight identified persons and several John Does involved in the Manila Arena case and against five police personnel and their cohorts in the Ricardo Lasco kidnapping  early this year, the CIDG said.

More complaints have been filed against Patidongan and his companion in connection with victim Michael Bautista’s disappearance.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News