‘Missing sabungero stole cockfight videos’

MANILA, Philippines — One of the 34 missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts was kidnapped for stealing videos of online sabong, according to one of the suspects who earlier revealed that the victims were killed and dumped in Taal Lake in Batangas.

The suspect, identified only as alias Totoy, said on Thursday night the kidnapping of online sabong agent Ricardo Lasco was due to the victim’s alleged involvement in the piracy of online cockfight broadcast.

Totoy said a person, whom he did not identify, paid P2 million for the kidnapping of Lasco at the victim’s house in Barangay sa Lucas in San Pablo, Laguna in August 2021.

“I was the one who handed over the P2 million (to the kidnapper). P2 million was not enough because I contacted several people (to do the job),” Totoy said.

He said he keeps a video showing Lasco being held by the kidnappers.

Three former policemen who posed as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation were tagged in Lasco’s kidnapping.

Totoy told Lasco’s relatives that like the other missing cockfight enthusiasts, the online sabong agent was also killed.

“You can no longer see your son alive because he is gone,” Totoy told Lasco’s mother, Marija Carmelita.

Lasco’s sister has urged President Marcos to order concerned government agencies to take another look into the case of his brother and the other missing sabungeros in the wake of Totoy’s revelations.

She urged Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III to hold a case conference about the latest information provided by Totoy.

Totoy was one of six security guards at the Manila Arena where 10 of the 34 missing sabungeros were last seen alive.

He and his fellow guards were charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of the sabungeros.

A Manila court allowed the guards to post bail for their temporary liberty.

The STAR tried, but failed to obtain confirmation from PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo if the police have communicated with Totoy.

Earlier, Fajardo said Torre was willing to lead the search for the missing sabungeros in Taal Lake.