‘Bato’ suspects role of rogue (Sabong News)

THE Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee has set for February 24 (Thursday) its hearing into the missing sabungeros, even as its chairman, Sen. Ronald M. dela Rosa, conceded the possibility that some rogue ex-uniformed personnel are involved in the abductions of dozens of cockfight workers and bettors, noting their “tactical movements and operations.” Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, expressed alarm at the precision and swiftness with which unidentified abductors had seized at least 29 sabongeros from their homes or on the streets, using modus operandi that had the hallmarks of military or police operations. On Sunday, the senator announced in a radio interview the lineup of resource persons that his panel plans to summon for the upcoming Thursday hearing, which he said will involve also the participation of Senators Grace Poe and Lito Lapid, the heads of the Senate committees on franchises and public services; as well as of games and amusement, respectively. Among those to be summoned to testify at the February 24 hearing are officials of the: Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), specifically, the regional directors of areas where the disappearances were reported: Region 3 (Bulacan), 4A (Batangas and Laguna) and NCRPO (Manila). Also to be summoned are owners of farms where these people disappeared, adding that families of the missing are, likewise, welcome to share information with the investigating committee. Asked if big gaming businessman Charlie Atong Ang will likewise be summoned to testify, the probe chairman replied: “If he (Ang) is an operator [of an e-sabong entity],” then he may be included among the invitees. At the same time, la Rosa did not rule out the possibility that relatives of the missing cockfighting afficianados may also be invited to testify. “So far, I have not personally met any of them; but I have reached out to those who sought my help through my Facebook page,” the senator said, adding that he had asked his staff, and some journalists who had access to the victims’ families “to help me reach out to them.” Asked if he, as then PNP chief, encountered similar cases involving missing sabongeros, De la Rosa replied there weren’t many such cases. He added partly in Filipino, however, that from this current controversy, he had received reports that the root is game-fixing. “Handlers bet on the rival cock, and then disable (bali pakpak) the cocks they are supposed to handle.” The senator admitted: “I am very alarmed at this situation,” recalling that the victims disappeared way back in early January. Prodded to remark on speculation that some of those seizing the sabongeros are uniformed or ex-uniformed personnel, Bato acknowledged that possibility, saying, partly in Filipino: “By the manner they are conducting their business: Parang duda ako baka mamaya meron tayong madiscover dito na dismissed na military or police officer—[you can see by their] training, tactical movements in these operations; naka -bonnet pa , very swift, very decisive ang movements, very accurate ang ginagawa nila.”