THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) announced the arrest of seven civilians on Wednesday in connection with the kidnapping and killing of cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros).
This development comes in addition to the 10 police officers already in restrictive custody related to the same case, signaling a significant expansion of the investigation.
CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II, during a press briefing at Camp Crame, revealed that the Sta. Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court Branch 26 issued two arrest warrants against 18 accused individuals, including gaming tycoon Atong Ang and the aforementioned 10 police officers. The seven civilians were apprehended based on these warrants.
Morico clarified that while the initial report indicated six civilian arrests, authorities apprehended a seventh individual later. He emphasized that “[The civilians] were already under surveillance,” and identified them as being a mix of Ang’s security personnel and employees of the cockfighting arena. The arrests took place in the provinces of Batangas and Laguna.
