The number of “missing sabungeros” continues to rise, with the Philippine National Police (PNP) announcing the addition of two more, bringing the total number of missing cockfight fans to 31. Six people have been named as suspects in the disappearance of cockfighting fans in Sta. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) confirmed on Friday that Ana’s Manila Arena was the scene of the crime.

CIDG Director Police Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz told the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs that a witness identified 14 people in the disappearances.

After President Rodrigo R. Duterte agreed to suspend the licenses of seven online cockfighting (e-sabong) firms that may be linked to the case, Senate President and vice presidential candidate Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said government efforts to locate the 31 missing “sabungeros” (cockfighting enthusiasts) will continue at investigation.

“There are 14 persons involved in this case that the witness implicated, and he positively identified six suspects, and eight are still unidentified,” CIDG Director General Cruz stated.

According to Cruz’s claims, a key witness alleged that on January 13, security officers from the Manila Arena loaded the missing sabungeros into a gray van.

“A vital witness gave his statement that he saw how the victims were held and loaded by the security personnel of Manila Arena in a gray van parked at the basement of the said arena,” he added.