Senate ends probe on missing sabungeros

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has concluded its investigation on the disappearance of at least 34 cockfight players and recommended legislative measures such as limiting the operations of online sabong.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who chairs the Senate committee on public order, said after four hearings, there was “some clarity on the cases of the missing cockfight aficionados.”

Dela Rosa recommended to the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) the filing of criminal and administrative charges against PNP members found to be involved in the alleged kidnapping of cockfight players.

The Senate will forward to the PNP and NBI the testimonies of witnesses and other evidence presented to the panel, he said.

The PNP and NBI are looking into “hulidap” or arrest and robbery-shakedown schemes in the disappearance of the cockfight enthusiasts.

The Senate committee urged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to implement measures such as limiting e-sabong operations to Sundays and legal holidays only and strict collection of tax from online cockfight operators.

The Senate asked PAGCOR to investigate violations of e-sabong licensees and to make sure that online cockfight operators are complying with security requirements, particularly the installation of closed-circuit television systems at betting stations and cockpit arenas.

Dela Rosa and Sen. Francis Tolentino noted that e-sabong operations continued even during Holy Week.