SIX security personnel of the Manila Arena accused of having a hand in the disappearance of some “sabungeros” (cockfighting aficionados) last year have been ordered indicted for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Director Brigadier General Ronald O. Lee told the Journal Group on Monday.

The official said that they had broken the “good news” to the families of the missing sabungeros, two days before Christmas amid his assurance that they won’t stop until justice can be given to the missing persons and their loved ones as ordered by PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr.

According to the CIDG, thru their continuing collaboration with the DOJ, an investigating panel of the agency found probable cause to indict the suspects in the case of the disappearance of some of the victims at the Manila Arena.

A 15-page joint DOJ resolution dated July 11, 2022, found probable cause to indict six suspects for six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Art. 267 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) as amended.

Lee said the DOJ recommended that the criminal information against the accused be filed before a Manila City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

The official said that all six accused were tagged as security personnel of Manila Arena.

In their resolution, the DOJ prosecutors considered the testimonies of all the witnesses, as well as the CCTV (closed-circuit television) camera footage from the different barangays that showed the continuity of the forcible abduction.

The CIDG director credited the two major breakthroughs in their investigation into the missing sabungeros case to their close coordination with the families and with the full support of DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento.

“Tulad po ng pinangako ko sa inyo na bago sumapit ang Christmas at New Year mayron po kaming regalo sa inyo, huwag po tayong bibitaw sa laban natin na ito, tulong-tulong po tayo dito. Malaking tulong po ang mga evidence na binibigay niyo sa amin,” Lee told the families of the missing men.

Lee said that the following circumstances showed that the victims were kidnapped by respondents: First, the cellphone conversation between victim Inonog and his father during the time the victims were forcibly abducted.

Second, the testimony of witness Sinfuego, who positively identified the respondents’ taking of the victims against their will; third, the CCTV footage which showed a black and a gray van, followed by the silver Toyota Wigo that left the Manila Arena, followed thereafter by a Tamaraw FX and a silver Hyundai Accent.

Fourth, the short lapse of time as shown in the CCTV footage; and fifth, the victims have been missing since they were forcibly abducted and boarded the gray van up to the present.

Butch Inonog, searching for his missing son, spoke on behalf of the other families and thanked Azurin, the DOJ, and the CIDG headed by Lee for coming up with significant results on the ongoing investigation of the cases of their missing loved ones.

“Maraming salamat po sa ating PNP Chief, General Azurin, kay Secretary Remulla, kay General Ronald Lee, sa aming case officer, maraming salamat po, hindi niyo po kami pinapabayaan, makakamit naming ang katotohanan sa pagkawala ng aming mga mahal sa buhay. Makakaasa po kayo sa aming kooperasyon sa imbestigasyon,” he said.

The case of Inonog, Baccay brothers, Cristorum, Velasco, and Gomez, is one of the eight cases handled by the CIDG SITG (Special Investigation Task Group) “Sabungero” which took cognizance of the said case.

“I am encouraging those who have these videos and other witnesses to the crime to surface and help us continue our investigation,” Lee said.

He also reassured the families of the missing sabungeros and the whole nation that the investigation of said cases will continue to seek the truth.