Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) secure a body bag containing a suspected cadaver recovered inside a sack during the second day of search operations in Taal Lake, Laurel, Batangas, on Friday, July 11, 2025. Authorities are investigating its possible link to the case of the missing sabungeros. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

MISSING SABUNGEROS- TAAL SEARCH

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176128928102020250711-missing-sabungero-soco-MT2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) secure a body bag containing a suspected cadaver recovered inside a sack during the second day of search operations in Taal Lake, Laurel, Batangas, on Friday, July 11, 2025. Authorities are investigating its possible link to the case of the missing sabungeros. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) said it has already drafted its decision on the administrative complaint filed against police officers implicated in the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts, or sabungeros.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/18/gretchen-barretto-attends-doj-hearing-on-missing-sabungeros-case-1341">Murder raps filed vs Atong Ang, others tagged in &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; case: kin</a></div><p>In an interview, Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Commissioner Rafael Calinisan said the commission is pleased that the case is now for resolution at the Department of Justice (DOJ).</p><p>“Happy ako doon kasi inaantay ko talaga ‘yun eh. Nasa mesa na namin ‘yung draft, pero hindi pa namin inuupuan para i-deliberate at ilabas kasi precisely inaantay namin ‘yung DOJ resolution,” Calinisan said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/18/gretchen-barretto-attends-doj-hearing-on-missing-sabungeros-case-1341">Gretchen Barretto submits counter-affidavit on &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; case</a></div><p>“Kung abswelto, okay. Pero papaano kung guilty? Papaano kung dismissal ang aming hatol? Saan natin hahanapin? Saan natin isa-serve ‘yung mga warrants of arrest ng mga ‘yan? So we will be team players. We will coordinate with the DOJ.”</p><p>Calinisan explained that Napolcom completed the draft decision within the 60-day period prescribed after the filing of the complaint, but opted to hold off its release until the DOJ issues its findings.</p><p>“Ginawa namin ang trabaho namin, 60 days tapos ‘yung aming desisyon. Pero mas makabubuti siguro sa sambayanan na hawakan muna namin,” he added.</p><p>The case involves the disappearance of around 34 sabungeros between 2021 and 2022, a controversy that has shaken the public’s trust in law enforcement.</p><p>Several police officers have been implicated, with both criminal and administrative cases filed against them.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/10/families-of-missing-sabungeros-meet-whistleblower-1339">Families of &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; meet whistleblower, file fresh affidavits</a></div><p>The DOJ is currently handling the criminal aspect, while Napolcom is tasked with determining administrative accountability, which may include dismissal from the service or other sanctions.</p><p>Calinisan emphasized that the commission wants to ensure coordination between agencies so that justice is not rendered hollow by procedural missteps.</p><p>“We will wait for the proper time, tamang panahon sa paglabas ng aming desisyon sa sabong cases para hindi naman empty ‘yung hustisya ng Pilipinas,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WVeUWP8Y32o?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NJM6hVeODoM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PnSIZzwMZ-M?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Napolcom said it has already drafted its decision on the administrative complaint filed against police officers implicated in the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts, or sabungeros.</p>

The Napolcom said it has already drafted its decision on the administrative complaint filed against police officers implicated in the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts, or sabungeros.

Napolcom says ruling on 'missing sabungeros' case 'ready' but still waiting for DOJ findings

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Napolcom says ruling on 'missing sabungeros' case 'ready' but still waiting for DOJ findings

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 24, 2025 03:06 PM PHT

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