Game-fixing eyed in case of missing cockfight players

MANILA, Philippines — Police probers are looking into the possibility that a group of gambling financiers involved in online sabong game-fixing could be behind the disappearance of at least 31 cockfight players.

This was revealed following the testimony of Geralyn Magbanua, wife of Manny Magbanua, who is one of the missing cockfight aficionados, during a Senate hearing initiated by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa last week.

Geralyn testified that Julius Javillo, allegedly the owner of a cock breeding farm in Tanay, Rizal, asked her husband to handle the breeder’s cocks during a cockfight in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Jan. 12.

She said Magbanua was with Marvin Flores, who also worked in the farm, when they went missing.

Members of the Sta. Cruz municipal police said they have been looking for Javillo and two others to shed light on the case of the missing sabungeros.

Geralyn believes that Javillo may have a hand in the disappearance of some of the cockfight players.

A member of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, who refused to be identified, said a gambling syndicate could have been involved in the disappearance of the cockfight patrons.