Kin of missing sabungeros ask Marcos, new PNP chief Acorda for help

Loved ones of the missing sabungeros have asked for help from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and newly installed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Benjamin Acorda for the arrest of the suspects tagged in the abduction of their kin.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the victims’ families said they received information on the whereabouts of the six Manila Arena security personnel.

Ernesto Baccay, father of victims Marlon and James Baccay, said they forwarded the locations to the police but it wasn’t clear if operations for the arrests were conducted.

“Palipat-lipat lang ang mga suspek na ito. Nandun sa lugar ng Brgy. Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna. Sa Jala-jala, Rizal naman, dun sa resort dun sila namataan din. Sa Mabitac, Laguna dun naman sa farm,”  he said.

(The suspects were always changing their locations. Some people said they were in Brgy. Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna…or in a resort in Jala-jala in Rizal. Someone also told us they were on a farm in Mabitac, Laguna.)

“Hindi ko alam kung inaksyunan nila, o ginawa ba nila yung trabaho nila? In-operate ba nila?” he added.

(I’m not sure if they took action.)

Suspects Julie Aguilar Patidongan, Mark Carlo Evangelista Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Roberto Matillano Jr., Gler Codilla, and Johnry Recapor Consolacion have been wanted by the police since February 2022 for kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges concerning the case of the missing sabungeros. None of them have been arrested.

Isabelita Baccay, the victims’ mother, said authorities only sent them photographs of the suspects’ reported locations.

“Sabihin mo na actual operation, o ‘yung sinasabi nila kung paano nila pununtahan, sino kinausap nila? Wala, larawan lang ‘yan. Madali naman mag-ano di ba?” she added.

(They didn’t tell us if they conducted an actual operation, or if they went there. They just sent us photos.)

She also called on Marcos Jr. and Acorda for the resolution of the case.

“Kay General Acorda, we are counting on you very much sir...Tulungan niyo kami. Kay Pangulong BBM, nakikiusap po kami, matagal na kaming humihingi ng audience sa inyo. Pansinin nyo kaming mahihirap,” she said.

(General Acorda, we’re counting on you. Please help us. President Marcos, we’re appealing for your help too… We’ve been asking for an audience. Please notice us too.)

Ernesto, for his part, questioned why the suspects in the case of slain Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo were swiftly arrested considering they were “well-trained” military personnel.

“‘Yung kay Degamo, well trained na suspects yan, nahuli agad. Samantalang samin mga sekyu lang, hindi nila mahuli? Ibig sabihin, mas magaling pa ‘yung security guard kaysa sa well-trained na sundalo?” he added.

(The suspects behind Degamo’s slay were well-trained military personnel and yet they were nabbed. These people are security personnel but the police cannot arrest them? Does it mean they are more skilled than the military?)

GMA Integrated News reached out to Malacañang and the PNP for a comment but has yet to respond as of press time. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News