PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Sunday night said the police force will not stop until the six suspects in the disappearance of six “sabungeros” or cockfighting enthusiasts are arrested.
The Department of Justice announced more than two months ago that arrest warrants have been issued against Julie Patidongan, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Gleer Codilla, Roberto Matillano Jr., and Johnry Consolacion.
The six suspects are facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention before a Manila City court in connection with the disappearance of James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Claude Inonog, Mark Joseph Velasco, Rowel Gomez, and Rondel Cristorum in January last year.
The victims supposedly left Tanay, Rizal on the afternoon of January 13, 2022 to go to the Manila Arena but were allegedly forced into a van on the evening of same day. The victims remain missing up to now.
Acorda said the police will continue its investigation into the case and similar other cases involving missing sabungeros until the truth is uncovered.
“We will not stop until justice is served for the victims and their families. We have identified the suspects and the court issued warrants of arrests against them,” said Acorda.
Acorda asked the suspects to surrender and answer the charges lodged against them.
“We urge the suspects to surrender peacefully and face the charges because the PNP will not stop until they are all accounted,” the PNP chief said.
The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group released pictures of the six suspects on February 17, days after the issuance of arrest warrants against them.
A P1 million reward has been offered for information that would lead to the arrest of each of the suspects.
