PNP-CIDG arrests 6 suspects allegedly involved in disappearance of cockfighting aficionados

Transcript

00:00 Authorities believe they are a step closer to finally solving the disappearance of several cockfighting

00:05 Aficionados with a recent arrest of six suspects Patrick de Jesus has more

00:11 At past 1 o'clock in the afternoon today

00:16 operatives of the BFB CIDG arrested six suspects in

00:21 Paranaque City for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of six cockfighting

00:29 Aficionados or sabongeros who went missing from the Manila cockpit arena last January 2022

00:36 Two of their companions were also nabbed for obstruction of justice

00:41 The suspects who were former security personnel of the said cockpit arena

00:46 Were arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant

00:50 They are identified as Julie Patidongan alias Don Don, Mark Carlos Sabala, Virgilio Bayog

00:58 Roberto Mateliano Jr., John Reconsolacion and Gleer Codilla

01:03 The CIDG said the suspects transferred from different places from time to time

01:08 The surveillance was strengthened in the past two months before they were hunted down in their safe house in Paranaque

01:15 It is a very challenging

01:18 activity

01:20 That's why we had a break

01:22 we were able to

01:25 to have a

01:28 sub-list of where they were

01:30 Just three days ago

01:32 That's why we were able to have a break. We are doing a lot of confirmatory activities

01:37 The CIDG added it has yet to talk with the suspects

01:41 That's why further investigation is ongoing to determine the motive and those behind the crime

01:48 But for this activity, for today's activity, we're just basing on the

01:56 manhunt operation bringing them to the

01:58 jurisdiction of the court

02:01 With the arrest of the suspects the PNP assures its commitment to the families of the missing sabongeros in

02:11 focusing on and resolving the case and despite some of the witnesses having backed out

02:17 There are still strong pieces of evidence. I hope that with the arrest of these suspects

02:24 those who were reportedly

02:26 back out as a witness may be convinced or reconsidered position and

02:32 I do believe that the case is still strong. We have enough evidence also that will

02:39 Continue with the case even with these witnesses that back out

02:43 As of this date, there are 34 sabongeros or cockfighting

02:49 enthusiasts who are still missing since 2021 with cases reported in Metro Manila, Bulacan,

02:55 Laguna and Batangas

02:58 Patrick De Asus for the Nation