DOJ: 15 cops on restricted duty for alleged killing of missing sabungeros

Metro Manila, Philippines - Fifteen police personnel are under restricted duty for their alleged involvement in the case of missing cockfighters or sabungeros, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Friday, July 4.

Remulla said the cops supposedly “carried out the executions.”

“Under restricted duty na sila. They have to report already to their offices para nandoon lang sila, para hindi na sila makasakit,” he said in a chance interview.

[Translation: They are under restricted duty. They have to report already to their offices to avoid inflicting further harm.]

Suspect-turned-witness Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alias Totoy earlier claimed that police personnel are involved in the case and the bodies of the missing sabungeros were thrown in Taal Lake in Batangas.

“May mga testigo kami na nagte-testify na kung saan maaaring hinulog 'yung mga tao na nawala,” said Remulla.

[Translation: We have witnesses who testified where the bodies of the missing may have been dumped.]

The justice chief said they asked help from the Japanese government for the search activities in Taal Lake.

“I just signed a letter for the Japanese government, asking for assistance para magkaroon tayo ng lakebed mapping at iba pang mga capabilities and technology na kailangan natin. Dapat dito kasi scientific ang approach. Hindi pwedeng tsamba-tsamba 'to,” he said.

[Translation: I just signed a letter for the Japanese government, asking for assistance for lakebed mapping and other capabilities and technology that we need. We should have a scientific approach. This cannot be a hit or miss.]

From 2021 to 2022, at least 30 cockfighting enthusiasts went missing in Manila, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, and Rizal after they allegedly manipulated the matches. Patidongan said the number of missing cockfighters could go as high as 100.

The DOJ chief earlier said gaming entrepreneur Charlie “Atong” Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto will be considered as suspects in the case after Patidongan tagged them in the disappearances.

Ang, who denied the allegations against him, has filed several complaints against Patidongan and another former employee.

Barretto also refuted the accusations against her.