Missing sabungeros: 6 guards freed on bail

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Six security guards implicated in the kidnapping and disappearance of cockfighting aficionados in Manila have been released on bail.

Julie Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion and Roberto Matillano Jr. were released from the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Calabarzon at 8:37 p.m. on Dec. 15, according to the CIDG.

They were assisted by their counsel Mikaelo Reyes.

The release of the suspects was based on the ruling issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 40 Judge Rebecca Guillen-Ubaña.

The six, who were charged with six counts each of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, posted a bond of P3 million each or P500,000 for each case.

The court set the initial presentation of evidence by the prosecution at 10 a.m. on Feb. 9, 2024.

The six, who are former security guards of the Manila Arena, were arrested by agents of the CIDG-Calabarzon headed by Col. Jack Malinao in two safehouses in Parañaque in September.

They were tagged in the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts John Claude Inonog, James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco and Rowel Gomez.

The suspects were placed under the custody of the CIDG-Calabarzon field unit while awaiting a commitment order from the court.

In a report on GMA News, Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon said they may appeal the court order.

The report quoted Fadullon as saying that the prosecution was unable to prove that the victims were kidnapped or illegally detained.

He said the court also gave weight to the decision of the families of the missing sabungeros to withdraw from the case.

The victims left Tanay, Rizal at around 1 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2022 to join a six-cock stag derby at the Manila Arena.

They were forced to board a gray van at around 7:30 p.m. and were never seen again.