Missing sabungero case: 3 cops face kidnapping, robbery in band raps

MANILA, Philippines — Three police officers from Laguna tagged in the disappearance of 34 sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts including an e-sabong agent will be charged with kidnapping and robbery in band, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the investigating panel found probable cause to charge S/Sgt. Daryl Paghangaan and Patrolmen Roy Navarete and Rigel Brosas in connection with the raid on the property of e-sabong agent Ricardo Lasco last year.

The complainants said the officers along with Lt. Henry Sasaluya and M/Sgt. Michael Claveria as well as several armed men arrested Lasco at his house in Barangay San Lucas, San Pablo City on Aug. 30, 2021 on charges of large-scale estafa.

“During investigation, the complainants were shown photographs of several men including the respondents. Among those they identified were Paghangan, Navarete and Brosas,” the DOJ said in a press briefer released yesterday.

The complainants, who were Lasco’s relatives, said the armed men introduced themselves as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

They said the “NBI agents” held them in the living room and took their valuables.

“The complaints against the other respondents were dismissed for lack of probable cause. The charges against the three police officers would be filed before the Regional Trial Court of San Pablo City, Laguna,” the DOJ said.

The respondents denied the allegations against them and claimed they were in different places when the raid occurred.

Remulla assured the families of the missing sabungeros that the DOJ, NBI, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police would work together for a swift investigation, resolution and prosecution of the case.