CIDG: Missing sabungeros’ kin offered P1 million

MANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has launched a probe to identify the people who have reportedly offered money to some relatives of the 34 missing cockfight players or sabungeros in return for dropping the charges and stopping the search for their loved ones.

The investigative arm of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is seeking to identify those behind the effort to scuttle its probe on the disappearance of the cockfight players.

CIDG director Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee made the statement after a relative of one of the victims said in a television interview over GMA News that someone offered them P1 million if they would sign a waiver dropping the case.

“Yung nag-offer sa amin ng P1 million, gusto ho namin malaman kung nasaan po nanggagaling ‘yung ganung impormasyon (we want to know where that information comes from),” the relative said.

The CIDG is validating the calls and the numbers used by the callers. However, these numbers could not be contacted anymore, the police official said in a statement.

A report over GMA News said the families of the cockfight players wrote a letter to President Marcos seeking an audience with him to relay their concerns about the progress of the investigation.

In response, Lee said they are regularly communicating with relatives of the cockfight players.

Lee added that the investigation will continue until the eight cases covering the missing sabungeros are resolved.

The CIDG is awaiting the resolution of two cases it filed before the Department of Justice: the Manila Arena case against eight people and several John Does, and the abduction of Ricardo Lasco in San Pablo, Laguna against five police officers and other unnamed individuals.

He said efforts are ongoing to identify and locate a man who was seen in a surveillance camera footage who withdrew money from an ATM account of Melbert John Santos, one of the missing cockfight players in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.