The number of cock fighters or ‘sabungeros’ reported missing, who were last seen at cockfighting arenas, has already reached to 26 from 20, the Manila Police District (MPD) reported Monday, January 31.

The relatives of 18 cockfight aficionados gathered in Mendiola on Monday to appeal to President Duterte to speed up the probe. But they were barred from continuing with the protest because they did not have a permit, according to the partner of one of the missing cockfight enthusiasts.

According to 24 Oras report, one of them is Jonnalyn Lubgin, who is four months pregnant. She went missing on January 7 after joining a cockfighting match in Laguna.

Laguna police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Paterno Domondon said they have yet to file complaints due to lack of evidence.

"Matapos pong makunan ng salaysay, napag-usapan namin ng mga imbestigador, eh medyo kulang pa po 'yung mga ebidensiyang hawak namin para mag-file ng kahit anong kaso po. In-explain namin, naintindihan naman po nila," said Domondon.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos on Sunday ordered an investigation into the disappearance of cockfighting aficionados in Manila as well as the provinces of Bulacan and Laguna.