The Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (PNP-CIDG) on Thursday released composite sketches of two suspects in the disappearance of 34 cockfight enthusiasts in Laguna.
Earlier, the PNP-CIDG said they were able to identify the suspects through a cellphone video they obtained, which also showed the missing sabungeros outside a cockfighting arena in Santa Cruz on April 28, 2021.
"Based on the 'secret' cellphone video showing two men and a handcuffed missing sabungero walking outside a cockfighting arena in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on April 28, 2021, we now hold vital evidence on our probe in the disappearance of the said sabungeros," PNP-CIDG chief Police Brigadier General Ronald Lee said in a statement.
The man in handcuffs in the video was positively identified by his wife and brother as Michael Bautista— one of the 34 missing sabungeros.
According to the CIDG, investigators already have leads on the identity of the two men while the cellphone video is being enhanced at the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.
“Kinakailangan pa rin nating ipa-enhance 'yung video upang ma-establish nating mabuti ang pagkakakilanlan nung mga suspek na hinihinalang mga pulis,” Lee said.
(We still need to enhance the video in order to establish the identity of the suspects who are believed to be police officers.)
The CIDG said a criminal complaint against the suspects is currently being prepared for filing before the Department of Justice.
In March this year, the CIDG filed criminal charges against eight identified persons and several John Does involved in the Manila Arena case and against five PNP personnel and their cohorts in the Ricardo Lasco kidnapping.
