Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Relatives exit the building after meeting with Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla in his office inside the Department of Justice on January 13, 2023. More than a year has passed since the sabungeros went missing as families continue to seek justice. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

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/175100843495820230113-missing-sabungeros-doj-GC-11.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Relatives exit the building after meeting with Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla in his office inside the Department of Justice on January 13, 2023. More than a year has passed since the sabungeros went missing as families continue to seek justice. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Friday ordered a motu proprio investigation into the alleged involvement of several police officers in the disappearance of over 100 “sabungeros” or cockfighting enthusiasts. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/25/pcg-divers-prep-for-retrieval-of-missing-sabungeros-in-taal-lake-1438">PCG divers prep for retrieval of missing &#x27;sabungeros&#x27; in Taal Lake</a></div><p>Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said he instructed the Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) to look into the matter, particularly the alleged collusion between cops and criminals in killing the victims and dumping their bodies in Taal Lake in Batangas.</p><p>Calinisan said they would focus on the administrative liabilities of cops, separate from the criminal and civil proceedings which could be resolved longer.</p><p>&quot;Yun ngayon ang hawak ng Napolcom. Is the person fit to still wear the uniform or not? Yun ang kasong administratibo. So, kailangan mabilis rin yun. Maaaring magtagal ang isang kasong criminal dahil napakahaba ng proseso pero sa kasong administratibo, ang gusto namin ay mabilisang disposition ng kaso,” Calinisan told reporters in an interview in Quezon City.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/19/buried-underwater-doj-to-vet-new-claims-on-missing-sabungeros-case-1350">Buried underwater? DOJ to vet new claims on &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; case</a></div><p>Calinisan urged one of the accused in the case who has turned into a whistleblower—identified only by his alias “Totoy”—to file a formal complaint with the Napolcom to expedite the resolution of the case.</p><p>As of Friday, no complainant has approached the Napolcom. </p><p>“Maaari na sa aming imbestigasyon ay hindi namin makausap si alias Totoy, fine, pero andiyan na siya. So, might as well come forward to us and we start and dig deep doon sa aspetong administratibo,” he added.</p><p>The Napolcom official vowed that the investigation and resolution would be completed within 60 days if the complaint is promptly filed.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/26/doj-to-reach-out-to-supreme-court-on-missing-sabungeros-case-1343">DOJ to reach out to Supreme Court on missing sabungeros case</a></div><p>&quot;Nanalangin talaga ako kay alias Totoy na sana i-file mo dito ang complaint mo para bigyan din ng pagkakataon ang [mga] pulis na ini-implicate mo na makasagot at para dito sa isang patas na pagpupulong sa Napolcom ay magkaalaman na kung sila ay inosente or kailangan parusahan,” he said.</p><p>Calinisan assured the public that he would not hesitate to remove from service police personnel proven to be involved in the crime. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><strong><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/p7aj266iySs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Napolcom said the investigation and resolution would be completed within 60 days if the complaint is promptly filed.</p>

The Napolcom said the investigation and resolution would be completed within 60 days if the complaint is promptly filed.

Napolcom probes alleged involvement of cops in 'missing sabungeros' case

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Napolcom probes alleged involvement of cops in 'missing sabungeros' case

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 27, 2025 03:27 PM PHT

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