Authorities said they have now identified two suspects in the case of the missing "sabungeros” that has gripped Laguna province since last year.
On Thursday (December 1), the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) released composite sketches of the suspects, which were identified after a follow-up investigation.
“Based on the ‘secret’ cellphone video showing two men and a handcuffed missing 'sabungero' walking outside a cockfighting arena in Santa Cruz, Laguna on April 28, 2021, we now hold vital evidence on our probe in the disappearance of the said sabungeros,” CIDG Chief PBGen. Ronald Lee said in a statement.
He said the handcuffed man in the video was Michael Bautista, one of the 34 missing cockfighting enthusiasts, who was identified by his brother and wife.
Lee has directed the CIDG Regional Field Unit 4A to take the formal statements of the wife and brother of Bautista as part of their investigation.
With the video on hand and through the computerized facial composites of the suspects, CIDG spokesperson PMaj. Mae Ann Cunanan said they now have leads on the identity of the two men while enhancement of the cellphone video is ongoing at the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG).
“The video has yet to be enhanced but through facial recognition, we can establish their identities. We just need to give the video to the ACG for it to be enhanced so that the facial composites that we would get would be clearer. This would be of great help to our investigation,” Cunanan said in a briefing Tuesday (November 29).
A criminal complaint against the suspects is being prepared for filing before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“As soon as I assumed the position of Director of CIDG, one of my priorities was the continuous investigation of the missing victims. Hindi natin ito nilubayan o isinatabi, ang CIDG ay patuloy na naghahanap ng mga ebidensiyang at mga saksi na makakatulong sa paglutas ng insidenteng ito,” Lee said.
To date, all of the missing “sabungeros” have yet to be found, according to authorities and the victims’ families.
(With report from PNA)