KRIMINAL: The missing sabungeros case

Summary

The podcast delves into the mysterious cases of missing sabongeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) in the Philippines. In early 2022, six men disappeared after leaving a derby event in Manila, and their families are desperate for answers. Investigations revealed potential kidnapping and illegal detention by security guards, and the case is one of many involving missing individuals in the cockfighting world. Several other incidents of disappearances, including an executive named Ricardo Lasko, are also under investigation. With 34 missing persons in total, their families continue to hope for resolution, as law enforcement works to uncover the truth behind these shocking events.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cockfighting, a blood sport with historical ties to Spanish colonization, has led to the disappearance of several individuals known as sabongeros.
• 😀 On January 13, 2022, six sabongeros went missing after attending a cockfighting derby at Manila Arena. They were last seen boarding a van at 7:30 PM but were never found again.
• 😀 One of the missing sabongeros, Jean-Claude Inonog, communicated with his father before disappearing, mentioning screams and identifying suspects involved in the case.
• 😀 The Department of Justice announced kidnapping and illegal detention charges in December 2022 against six security guards linked to the Manila Arena incident.
• 😀 A 6 million peso reward was offered by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for information leading to the arrest of the suspects involved in the case.
• 😀 By December 2022, 34 sabongeros were still missing, and authorities were investigating multiple cases of disappearances linked to cockfighting.
• 😀 One prominent case involved Ricardo 'Jonjon' Lasko Jr., an Isabong executive, who was abducted by armed men on August 30, 2021, and has not been found since.
• 😀 Lasko's family claimed the kidnappers, posing as NBI agents, took valuables worth 500,000 pesos and left the family members confined to a room.
• 😀 The disappearance of Lasko has significantly impacted his family, especially his mother, whose health deteriorated due to the trauma.
• 😀 In December 2022, five policemen were dismissed for their involvement in the abduction of Lasko, though charges were only filed against three of them for robbery and kidnapping.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of this podcast episode?

The podcast episode focuses on the mysterious disappearances of several sabongeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) and the investigation surrounding their cases.

Who were the first group of sabongeros to go missing, and when did it happen?

The first group of missing sabongeros consisted of six men who disappeared on January 13, 2022, after attending a cockfighting event in Manila.

What did Jean-Claude's father claim about his son's disappearance?

Jean-Claude's father claimed that his son, who was only driving for the sabongeros and was not involved in the game itself, called him before going missing. He reported hearing a lot of screaming before the call ended, and afterward, Jean-Claude's phone was turned off.

What actions did the Department of Justice take regarding the case?

In December 2022, the Department of Justice stated that kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges would be filed against six individuals allegedly involved in the disappearance of the sabongeros.

Who were the suspects identified in the Manila Arena case?

The suspects in the Manila Arena case were six security guards: Julie Patidongan, Glier Cordelia, Marcarlo Zabala, Vergilio Bayog, Genre Consolacion, and Roberto Matilliano Jr.

What reward was offered for information on the suspects?

The Philippine National Police (PNP) offered a 6 million peso reward, with 1 million pesos for each suspect's information.

How many sabongeros were missing as of December 2022?

As of December 2022, a total of 34 sabongeros were still missing.

What was the incident involving Ricardo Jonjon Lasko Jr.?

On August 30, 2021, Ricardo Jonjon Lasko Jr., an executive in the cockfighting industry, was abducted by a group of armed men who posed as National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel. Lasko has not been found since the incident.

What role did the police play in the abduction of Jonjon Lasko?

Five police officers were allegedly involved in the abduction of Jonjon Lasko. These officers were dismissed from service in December 2022, and three were charged with robbery and kidnapping.

How has the disappearance of the sabongeros affected their families?

The families of the missing sabongeros are still searching for their loved ones, holding on to hope that they are alive. For example, Lasko's mother’s health deteriorated significantly after his disappearance.