There is no evidence yet proving that some of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros) went missing in the city of Manila, the Manila Police District (MPD) clarified on Thursday.
"Gusto kong linawin ito, dahil hanggang ngayon wala kaming ebidensya na magpapatunay na sila ay nawala dito sa area ng Manila," said MPD director Brid. Gen. Leo Francisco.
(I want to clear this up because until now we do not have evidence proving that they went missing here in Manila.)
He stressed that while some of the reported missing men were found in security footage entering the Manila Arena in a vehicle, the footage also showed them leaving the area.
"So wala kaming testigo o mga statement pang nakukuha sa kasalukuyan na sila ay nawala sa loob ng Manila Arena," he said.
(So we don’t have a witness or statement now saying that they went missing at the Manila Arena.)
According to Francisco, they are still looking for possible witnesses who could give them a lead of enough information that the reported sabungeros went missing at the Manila Arena or in the area of Manila.
The director said they are working with the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to find the missing men.
The PNP previously said that the number of missing sabungeros climbed to a total of 26, with some of them reported gone as far back as last year.
