THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has created a tracker team to search for six suspects linked to the disappearance of six cockfighting enthusiasts last year.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed this during a meeting with the missing “sabungeros” relatives at the Department of Justice (DOJ) building in Malate, Manila.

Remulla emphasized that the 34 individuals along with the six others who went missing have families who are still searching for them, and the law should not overlook those who vanished under mysterious circumstances as victims of criminal activity.

The suspects, Julie Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion, and Roberto Matillano Jr., were charged with six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code before the Manila Regional Trial Court for the alleged abduction of John Claude Inonog, James E. Baccay, Marlon E. Baccay, Rondel F. Cristorum, Mark Joseph L. Velasco, and Rowel G. Gomez on January 22, 2022, while en route to the Manila Arena from Tanay, Rizal.

The DOJ panel of prosecutors found probable cause to indict them in court.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas