Manila, July 31 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz has been reassigned to the Soccsksargen regional police as its chief, but clarified that the transfer has nothing to do with allegations of mishandling the missing "sabungeros" (cockfight afficionados) case.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo defended Macapaz over accusations that he was removed as the director of the CIDG for compromising the investigation on the missing sabungeros case.

"It's so unfair po, very unfair po on the part of Gen. Macapaz, sa mga lumalabas po ngayong information, na he is trying to muddle the investigation....