JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday announced a P6 million cash reward to anyone who will be able to provide information on the location of six individuals linked to the disappearance of several cockfighters or “sabungeros.”
“Sa kasalukuyan ay ipinagpapatuloy natin ang malawakang paghahanap sa anim pang sangkot sa pagkawala ng mga sabungero kung kaya’t inaalok natin ang P6 milyon na halaga ng pabuya para sa makapagtuturo at makalapagsabi kung saan nagtatago ang mga suspek (The search for the six individuals involved in the disappearance of the sabungeros is ongoing, that’s why we are offering a P6 million reward to anyone who can provide information on the location or hiding place of the suspects),” Remulla said.
While no additional details were released as to the suspects, it could be recalled that the Department of Justice (DOJ) last month filed kidnapping and serious illegal detention complaints before the Manila City Regional Trial Court against six individuals suspected to be involved in the disappearance of six sabungeros in January 2022.
Named respondents in the complaints were Julie Patidongan, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Gleer Codilla, Roberto Matillano Jr., and Johnry Consolacion.
They were allegedly involved in the disappearances of James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Claude Inonog, Mark Joseph Velasco, Rowel Gomez, and Rondel Cristorum.
The prosecutors have recommended no bail for the temporary liberty of the respondents even as the DOJ sought public assistance in locating the six, who all remain at large.
Remulla has earlier met with families of the more than two dozen sabungeros who have been missing since last year to apprise them of the ongoing investigation and the arrest of three individuals suspected of involvement in the case.
“Nais kung ipabatid na sa tulong ng CIDG (Criminal and Investigation Detection Group) sa pamumuno ni Gen. (Romeo) Caramat, case investigators at maging ni Usec. Jojo Cadiz, nagbigay tayo ng mensahe sa mga pamilya ng mga biktima ukol sa update sa pagkakaaresto natin sa tatlo pang salarin ng malaking krimen na ito (Through the leadership and efforts of the CIDG under Gen. Caramat and even Usec. Jojo Cadiz, we apprised the families of the victims of the update in the case regarding the arrest of three suspects),” Remulla said without identifying the suspects.
Earlier this year, the DOJ indicted three Laguna policemen for robbery and the kidnapping of e-sabungero agent Ricardo Lasco.
The three cops – Staff Sgt. Daryl Paghangaan and Patrolmen Roy Navarete and Rigel Brosas — allegedly introduced themselves as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation when they arrested Lasco in his residence in San Pablo, Laguna on August 30, 2022.
The cops allegedly took with them several valuables, including luxury watches, jewelry and a vault containing cash, amounting to more than P10 million, according to a complaint lodged by Lasco’s partner Princess Montanez and two others.
Remulla assured the families and the public that authorities are doing their best to give justice to their missing loved ones.
