No missing ‘sabungeros’ kin match in recovered human bones

Metro Manila, Philippines - Authorities have recovered hundreds of human bones in Taal Lake in Batangas, where the missing cockfight enthusiasts or “sabungeros” were supposedly dumped.

During the House of Representatives committee on human rights discussion on Wednesday, Aug. 27, Justice Assistant Secretary Eliseo Cruz said the 401 bones were retrieved in Taal Lake since the search began on July 10.

Of the retrieved bones, 163 were subjected to DNA tests. The rest were in a deteriorated condition.

“Wala pa pong nag-match doon sa mga samples na nakuha namin sa mga relatives ng mga missing ‘sabungeros,’” Philippine National Police - Forensic Group Director PBGen Danilo Bacas said.

[Translation: The bones did not match the samples we got from the relatives of the missing “sabungeros.”]

Cruz said authorities have not completed the samples of the 34 victims’ kin.

“Meron po kasing mga kamag-anak ng mga missing ‘sabungeros’ ang napabalitang nagpabayad na,” he said.

[Translation: There are relatives of missing “sabungeros” who reportedly accepted money.]

“Kaya hindi natin maaasahan na talagang mape-perfect natin ang comparison dito,” Cruz added.

[Translation: That is why we cannot expect a perfect comparison.]

Hasten state witness application

Meanwhile, some lawmakers urged the government to consider suspect-turned-whistleblower Julie Patidongan as state witness in the case.

Cruz said the formal application for the Witness Protection Program is in the process, assuring lawmakers that Patidongan is under police custody.

Lawmakers pressed authorities to hasten the process after Patidongan’s revelations.

“We expect the DOJ (Department of Justice) to act swiftly on this because we’re talking about the safety, security of that witness and the possible involvement of big personalities,” Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said.

“Delikado na ang buhay niya,” Surigao del Sur Rep. Alexander Pimentel said. “Naghihintay ba kayo na mamatay pa ‘yan? Wala na tayong testigo. Alam mo naman ang kalaban talagang sobra-sobra ang yaman.”

[Translation: His life is at risk. Are you waiting for him to die? We will not have any witnesses. The enemy is wealthy.]

Patidongan earlier tagged gaming businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto as masterminds in the disappearances. The two denied the accusation.

The 34 “sabungeros” went missing in 2021 to 2022. Patidongan said the number of victims could reach up to a hundred. He said their bodies were thrown in Taal Lake.