THE Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs will hold an inquiry on the case of missing “sabungeros” (cockfight aficionados) on Thursday, February 24.
In a radio interview, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, panel chairman, described as “alarming” the reported sudden disappearance of around 30 sabungeros, some of whom seemed to be abducted by men with military training as they acted “very swift, decisive, and accurate” as shown in some video footage of the abductions.
“I have a feeling that we might discover that dismissed men (in) uniform are behind the abductions because there is tactical movement, and they seem trained because they act very swift, decisive, and accurate. Maybe these people have (military) training,” said Dela Rosa, who served as former PNP chief before being elected as senator in 2019.
He said the committee will invite as resource persons the relatives of the missing sabungeros, investigating agencies, including the PNP and its regional police directors in Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon regions; the National Bureau of Investigation which is conducting a parallel investigation, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., operators of “e-sabong (online cockfighting), and owners of cockpit arenas where the sabunageros were last seen.
Dela Rosa said Senators Grace Poe and Manuel “Lito” Lapid has assured their attendance in the hearing. Poe is the public services committee chairperson, while Lapid is the games and amusement committee chairman.
He said the incidents cannot be treated as “isolated cases” since a “trend” has been observed.
The sudden disappearance of the sabungeros drew public attention as early as January this year, which also led stakeholders to question the effects of e-sabong on the lives of ordinary Filipinos who bet on the online game.
Initial investigation by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group revealed the reason behind the unexplained disappearances were the possible involvement of the missing men in game fixing.
Dela Rosa said if he could have his way, he wants e-sabong be temporarily stopped until the cases of the disappearances are solved.
He said the Senate should also study to give e-sabong legislative franchises rather than just be given by Pagcor permission to operate.