The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to file charges against six persons for kidnapping six sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts.
“After a careful perusal of the case records, the panel of prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) found probable cause to indict Julie A. Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo E. Zabala, Virgilio P. Bayog, Johnry R. Consolacion, and Roberto G. MAtillano Jr. for six (6) counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code,” it announced.
“Accordingly, the information against these respondents will be filed before the Regional Trial Court of Manila City,” it also said.
The case concerning the complaint filed concerning the abduction of six sabungeros, namely, John Claude Inonog, James E. Baccay, Marlon E. Baccay, Rondel F. Cristorum, Mark Joseph L. Velasco, and Rowel G. Gomez who were kidnapped last Jan. 22 while on their way to the Manila Arena from Tanay, Rizal.
Citing the Dec. 22 resolution of the panel, the department said the defense of the respondents were given scant consideration “ in light of the positive identification and credible testimonies of the complainants’ witnesses.”
“In particular, complainant Venancio Inonog, the father of the victim Inonog, testified that he was able to talk via phone call with his son who informed him that they were forced to board a gray van against their will,” it said.
“His son was able to identify respondents Bayog, Consolacion and Matillano,” added the DOJ.
The department said the father, during the call, “heard a lot of screaming before the line went dead” and tried to call back but “the cellphone was already turned off.”
“Further, Denmark B. Sinfuego, another witness, narrated that he saw respondents Patidongan, Codilla, Zabala, Bayog, Consolacion and Matillano Jr. capture the victims Cristorum, Gomez, and Velasco,” the DOJ said.
