NBI finds lead in e-sabong case (Sabong News)
Author
William Depasupil
Date
MARCH 11 2022
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has found a lead that could help resolve the case of the 34 missing cockfighting aficionados, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ).
"Yesterday I was informed by the NBI that they had found a lead [on the case of 34 missing cockfighting enthusiasts]," said Guevarra in a Viber message on Thursday.
Guevarra, however, said that the NBI gave no further information about its parallel investigation.
He expressed confidence that the NBI, and as well as the Philippine National Police (PNP), would soon come up with positive results.
"It is improbable that 34 persons in strikingly similar situations would disappear without a trace," he added.
The PNP also disclosed that it would file kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges against six security personnel of the Manila Arena, where the alleged abduction of the 34 happened on separate occasions.
The controversial case also prompted Malacañang to order an investigation in response to Senate Resolution 996 where legislators called on Malacañang to suspend e-sabong operations over the still unresolved cases of the missing players.
Go's appeal
SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go echoed President Rodrigo Duterte's call for a comprehensive investigation into the case of the missing cockfighters.
In a chance interview during his visit to fire victims in Baseco Port Area, Manila on Wednesday, March 9, Go said that law enforcement should have been more proactive in dealing with the matter of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts, and asked them to solve the case as soon as possible.
Go said that he was not privy to the details of the conversation between the President and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, as well as with Sen. Ronaldo "Bato" dela Rosa, in relation to the memorandum allowing e-sabong operations to continue.
Go said his priority concern was to ensure the safety of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts and to resolve the case.
Sotto's call
Vice presidential candidate Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto 3rd on Thursday reiterated the call of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs to suspend e-sabong operations while the investigation was ongoing.
He said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) was authorized under its charter to "initiate actions against gaming industry players which are under investigation or those which have been found to be violating existing laws."
In a joint press briefing with Sotto on Wednesday at the sidelines of their campaign sortie in Pasig City, presidential aspirant Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said, "If you have the power to grant licenses, you also have the power to suspend."
Malacañang has turned down a recommendation by the Senate to temporarily suspend the licenses of e-sabong operators while the cases of 34 missing cockfighters have not been resolved.
Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, committee chairman, even reported to Sotto that President Rodrigo Duterte "has agreed" to its temporary suspension.
But Pagcor, during the second day of the Senate hearing on the missing cockfighting enthusiasts said that the President has yet to issue an order.
Sotto stressed what the Senate was asking was a mere suspension of e-sabong licenses, not their revocation.
He quoted Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as saying that they were waiting for Pagcor's recommendation and the Senate resolution.
Sotto said it was obvious why Pagcor was going soft on the e-sabong issue — the business rakes in an estimated P640 million a month to the agency's earnings.
"That's why it is useless to appeal for the reconsideration of Malacañang's decision," he said.