CIDG seeks help in case of missing sabungeros

MANILA, Philippines — Police have sought the help of gaming tycoon Atong Ang in the investigation into the reported disappearance and kidnapping of at least 29 sabungeros or cockfight players.

Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said he met with Ang on Feb. 1 and asked for the businessman’s assistance in the case of the missing cockfight aficionados.

Ang’s name cropped up after probers found out that most of the cockfight players took part in online sabong conducted by WPC Pitmaster, which is owned by the businessman.

“We asked for their cooperation para makuha natin ang mga kailangan sa imbestigasyon,” Ferro said in an interview on Radyo5.

Among these are footage from surveillance cameras, which showed the missing cockfight enthusiasts entering and leaving the cockpit arenas.

The CIDG is also seeking video footage of the actual games where the victims participated.

Ferro did not give a figure, but said most of the missing players played online derbies in Batangas, Laguna and Sta. Ana in Manila.

“Karamihan sa mga players ay nag-laro ng online sabong,” he said.

Ferro said they are looking into game fixing as the possible motive behind the players’ disappearance.

“Parang nagkaroon ng double-cross, iyong tinatawag sa mga sabungero na terminology na tiyope,” he said.

Probers said it is possible that the suspects could be the people who were duped by the victims.

Ferro did not say if they have witnesses who could shed light on the disappearance of the cockfight players.

He expressed hope that the CIDG would be able to file charges against the suspects before the end of the month.