The Philippine National Police - Crime Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) have filed criminal charges against eight suspects allegedly involved in the disappearance of 38 cockfighting enthusiasts.
According to PNP, its crime investigation unit filed kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges against "eight identified persons and several John Does" on March 18.
"Based on the sworn statements of a vital witness, he identified six suspects while two other witnesses also identified two other suspects," PNP-CIDG Director PMGen. Eliseo Cruz said during the Senate hearing on the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts.
Following this, the PNP-CIDG was prompted to establish a special investigation task group earlier this year to investigate the issue and convict the perpetrators.
So far, the number of missing sabongeros has increased to 34 from 31, mostly from Manila, Batangas, Bulacan, and Laguna.
"This is just one of the concrete steps that the CIDG, being tasked to dig deeper on this web of cases, is taking to get into the bottom of this. While there is a spark of national interest about these cases, the PNP is taking an evidence-based approach to slowly uncover the truth behind the disappearances," Police Gen. Dionardo Carlos, PNP chief, said.
"We assure the worried families that the PNP is taking all efforts and initiatives to resolve the cases," he added.
