PNP hunts down 6 guards over missing sabungeros

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched a massive manhunt for six security guards who were implicated in the kidnapping and disappearance of sabungeros or cockfight players in Manila last year.

At a press briefing yesterday, PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Redrico Maranan said they have deployed tracker teams to locate the suspects.

“Double time ang paghahanap ng ating mga tracker teams,” Maranan said.

A Manila court has issued warrants for the arrest of Julie Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion and Roberto Matillano Jr.

The suspects were tagged in the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts John Claude Inonog, James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco and Rowel Gomez in Manila on Jan. 13, 2022.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has put up a reward of P6 million for any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects.

The victims are among the 34 sabungeros who went missing last year.

A report on GMA News showed the photos of the suspects, who remain at large.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin said investigators have good leads on the people behind the kidnappings of the cockfight players.

“Nakikita na nila na may direksyon yung imbestigasyon as far as e-sabong is concerned,” Azurin said.