Palace wants deeper probe in missing sabungeros' case; Napolcom gets new intel

MANILA — Malacanang said Wednesday it wanted authorities to conduct a more extensive investigation into the alleged abduction and of several sabungeros, new information on which was being anticipated by the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

This, after Justice Secretary Boying Remulla said that the people behind the case may be the same people behind the killings perpetrated during the bloody drug war of the previous administration.

“Okay. Kung ganiyan po ang nakikita sa mga imbestigasyon, mas lalo pa po dapat itong palawigin, iyong pag-iimbestiga rito dahil mukhang kone-konektado ang mga nagawang krimen—kung ito man po ay mapapatunayan,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

“Hindi po natin sinasabi na sila na po ay guilty pero mas gusto po ng Pangulo, iuutos po talaga niya na dapat mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga nabiktima,” she continued.

WRAP: Flurry of allegations revives dormant ‘missing sabungeros’ case

Remulla earlier said that the DOJ was evaluating murder and violation of international humanitarian law cases in the missing sabungeros case, in addition to pending kidnapping and illegal detention cases in court. 

FEELERS

The Napolcom said it has been receiving feelers from various sources on the case of the missing cockfight enthusiasts that could significantly deepen the investigation.

“Malupit ‘yong sustansya niya,” said Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan in a chance interview with reporters during a forum at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

(The substance of it is intense.)

Calinisan said the sources, who reached out to him in a “very creative way” a few days ago, had in-depth information and appeared to have direct involvement in the case.

Their accounts, he said, could prove crucial to the investigation and may corroborate the earlier testimony of whistleblower Julie Patidongan, alias Totoy.

The official said he was hoping to secure sworn affidavits from the sources.

“Very interesting ‘yong story,” Calinisan added. “Anyone who builds on the story of another, anyone who corroborates, I think, builds on the credibility of that witness.”

(The story is very interesting.)

POLICE AS STATE WITNESSES?

Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said it would be a welcome development if the 15 police officers allegedly linked to the disappearance of the sabungeros decide to turn state witnesses and reveal everything they know.

“Of course, that’s one of the directions that we can take. If some of them will volunteer to be state witnesses or they’ve decided to tell all, then that will be a welcome development in the investigation. But even without that, we can solve this case even without the cooperation of the suspects,” Torre said in an interview.

The 15 police officers, including a lieutenant colonel, have been placed under restrictive custody at Camp Crame pending investigation.

The administrative cases against them are expected to be completed within the week. As part of standard procedure, the officers have already been disarmed.

SEARCH FOR BODIES

Torre said authorities have been visiting several locations in Laguna, Batangas, Metro Manila, and nearby areas believed to be potential disposal sites where some of the sabungeros’ bodies could have been dumped.

While the remains of the missing sabungeros are potentially “damning evidence”, it is “not absolutely necessary to find the body of the victim” to prove in court that they were murdered, Department of Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said.

“There are many other ways to prove the fact of death. Photos or videos of the killing, for example, may establish the fact of death,” he said.

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