Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

The families of the missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungero on Friday, December 2, 2022 show their photographs during a meeting with Secretary Crispin Remulla. Secreatary Remulla said they have agreed to meet regularly to inform the families on the ongoing investigation and search for their loved ones. ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

DOJ-MISSING

Harlene Delgado

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:920px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175031109480320221202-doj-sabungeros-aa-6217.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The families of the missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungero on Friday, December 2, 2022 show their photographs during a meeting with Secretary Crispin Remulla. Secreatary Remulla said they have agreed to meet regularly to inform the families on the ongoing investigation and search for their loved ones. ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p>MANILA (UPDATE) — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday said it would look into the new developments in the case of the &quot;missing sabungeros&quot; or cockfight enthusiasts who disappeared without trace four years ago.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/04/22/kaanak-ng-nawawalang-sabungero-inalok-umano-ng-pera">Kaanak ng nawawalang sabungero inalok umano ng pera para iatras ang kaso</a></div><p>The DOJ was reacting to a television interview of an individual who claimed that the missing sabungeros were likely dead and buried in Taal Lake.</p><p>The suspect, one of the six security guards at the Manila Arena who now wants to turn state witness, admitted that the sabungeros are dead and were allegedly strangled with wire before being dumped in the lake.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/08/16/23/remulla-raises-alarm-over-settlement-in-missing-sabungeros">Remulla raises alarm over ‘settlement’ in missing sabungeros cases as some families desist</a></div><p>“Marahil kailangan ng technical diver ‘yan. Pagka ma-determine natin ang veracity nung information, we need technical divers to do it kasi malalim din ‘yan eh and it’s not easy to go into a lakebed to look for human remains,” Remulla said in a chance interview at the DOJ headquarters in Manila.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:729px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175031110462320230922-taal-lake-vog-MT-10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Fisherfolk return to their normal activities at the Taal lake in Talisay, Batangas on Saturday, September 23, 2023, as the volcanic smog from Taal volcano clears due to the rains. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align:left">Remulla said the new claim could be credible.</p><p>“Kasi kung walang trace talaga it can be a credible story kasi wala talagang trace eh. When you vanished without a trace, then it must be somewhere where people have not been able to look. Baka hindi pa natitingnan ‘yung lugar,” he added.</p><p>Remulla said that they would vet the information as part of an ongoing case buildup.</p><p>“I-vet natin. Pag-aaralan natin ‘yung sinasabi niya kasi may hawak naman kaming ibang testigo eh,” he said.  </p><p>Some of the accused are on bail while others remain at large, according to the DOJ chief.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PNP TO INVESTIGATE</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is willing to look into claims that the remains of 34 missing sabungeros were dumped in Taal Lake, Batangas. </p><p>PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the suspect must execute a sworn affidavit as part of legal procedures for the case build-up.</p><p>“Ang ating chief PNP ay willing na siya po mismo ang pumunta doon at alamin kung saan ba ‘yong eksaktong sinasabi niya,&quot; Fajardo said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/10/10/23/prosecution-presents-2-cops-as-witnesses-in-missing-sabungeros-case">Prosecution presents 2 police officers as witnesses in &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; case</a></div><p>&quot;It will be a challenge because alam natin, napakalalim niyan at kailangan natin ng mga divers siguro para kuhanin ‘yan at dadaan po sa proseso ‘yan,” Fajardo added.</p><p>Fajardo said the PNP would welcome it if the TV network and the suspect coordinated with the police to help resolve the case, assuring that the police are ready to provide security. </p><p>The suspect, identified only as alias Totoy, said threats to his family compelled him to come forward. He promised to name the person who ordered the killings at the appropriate time.</p><p>With the investigation underway, Remulla vowed to the families of the victims that the DOJ would exert all efforts to find the truth behind the missing sabungeros.</p><p>&quot;It’s in the very soul, very much into the question of the Filipino soul how we can put to rest things that happened to us. Hindi natin pwedeng pabayaan ‘to eh and just let it go. We have to be responsible enough to seek the truth especially in cases like this,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></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/sgQNr3jcX-M?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>DOJ chief Remulla said that they would vet the information as part of an ongoing case buildup.</p>

DOJ chief Remulla said that they would vet the information as part of an ongoing case buildup.

Buried underwater? DOJ to vet new claims on 'missing sabungeros' case

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Buried underwater? DOJ to vet new claims on 'missing sabungeros' case

Harlene Delgado,

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 19, 2025 01:50 PM PHT

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Updated Jun 19, 2025 03:05 PM PHT

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