Subpoenas issued to people in missing ‘sabungeros’ case - DOJ

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has served subpoenas to people implicated in the missing “sabungeros” or cockfight enthusiasts case.

Speaking to government channel PTV on Wednesday, Sept. 10, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said the subpoenas were issued to 59 respondents based on the preliminary report of the National Prosecution Service.

“Nagsimula po tayo mag-serve ng subpoenas kahapon at ngayon po nagpapatuloy po tayo sa pagserve ng subpoenas ngayon,” Clavano said on PTV’s “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.”

[Translation: We began to serve the subpoenas yesterday and it’s ongoing today.]

The list included business tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, Clavano said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla previously said Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto will be listed as suspects after they were linked to the case by suspect-turned-whistleblower Julie Patidongan.

The two have denied the allegation.

Meanwhile, Clavano said the Philippine Coast Guard retrieved another set of skeletons determined to be human remains in the lakebed of Taal Lake. This would undergo DNA testing.

Patidongan earlier said the victims were disposed of in the lake.

The 34 “sabungeros,” who supposedly cheated in the games, went missing without trace from 2021 to 2022 after attending games in Manila, Laguna, Batangas, and Bulacan.

NewsWatch Plus multiplatform producer Jelo Ritzhie Mantaring contributed to this report.