Camille Naredo

Relatives of missing sabungeros  exit the building after meeting with Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla in his office inside the Department of Justice on January 13, 2023. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

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

Article (news)

missing sabungeros

Michael Delizo

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/175134669228020230113-missing-sabungeros-doj-GC-13.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Relatives of missing sabungeros  exit the building after meeting with Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla in his office inside the Department of Justice on January 13, 2023. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Relatives of missing sabungeros  exit the building after meeting with Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla in his office inside the Department of Justice on January 13, 2023. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The Philippine National Police–Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) cannot move forward with a substantial administrative investigation into the missing sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts) case without a sworn affidavit from the key witness who claims that around 20 police officers were involved, an official said Tuesday.</p><p>&quot;Walang sustansya,&quot; said PNP-IAS Inspector General Atty. Brigido Dulay of the individual&#x27;s testimonies in a television interview, urging him to formalize his claims through an affidavit to help build a case against the officers he is accusing.</p><p>(There&#x27;s no substance.)</p><p>&quot;Papaano po mabibigay &#x27;yong talagang ebidensya kung wala ka namang mga piraso o pieces of the puzzle doon sa pangyayari? At &#x27;yon naman &#x27;yong naging hadlang doon sa isyu ng missing sabungero sapagkat kulang talaga ng mga corroborative evidence para maturo kung sino &#x27;yong mga sangkot dito,&quot; Dulay said.</p><p>(How can we present real evidence if there are no pieces of the puzzle related to the incident? That has been the obstacle in the case of the missing sabungeros—there&#x27;s a lack of corroborative evidence pointing to who was involved.)</p><p>The accused, who has expressed interest in becoming a state witness for his protection, earlier claimed that around 20 police officers were behind the abduction and alleged killing of over a hundred sabungeros between April 2021 and January 2022.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/25/police-linked-to-missing-sabungero-case-pnp-vows-no-one-will-be-spared-2032">READ: Police linked to missing sabungero case? PNP vows no one will be spared</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/25/pcg-divers-prep-for-retrieval-of-missing-sabungeros-in-taal-lake-1438">READ: PCG divers prep for retrieval of missing &#x27;sabungeros&#x27; in Taal Lake</a></div><p>While the IAS can initiate a motu proprio (on its own initiative) investigation based on available documents, Dulay emphasized that without an affidavit, the probe will remain weak.</p><p>&quot;Kami po ay gumagawa na rin po ng investigation at case build-up base po sa mga dokumento na available na po ngayon,&quot; Dulay said.</p><p>(We are already conducting an investigation and case build-up based on the documents currently available.)</p><p>&quot;Pero hindi po kami tuluyang makauusad. Sabi nga, ang salaysay na mga nabigay dati sa Senado, salaysay na ibinigay sa imbestigasyon ay kailangan po lagyan ng sustansya. At ang sustansya po nito ay &#x27;yon pong salaysay, itong bagong rebelasyon ng bagong testigo na ito. Kasama na rin po &#x27;yong magiging statement po ng pamilya ng mga nasangkot dito.&quot;</p><p>(But we cannot move forward completely. As they say, the testimonies previously given to the Senate and in investigations need to be substantiated. And that substance would come from this new testimony of the witness, along with statements from the families of those involved.)</p><p>According to Dulay, seven police officers were already dismissed in 2023 over the abduction of e-sabong master agent Ricardo Lasco.</p><p>If the accused, identified in reports as &quot;Totoy,&quot; submits a sworn affidavit implicating certain officers—particularly the ones already dismissed—they will no longer face administrative charges but will proceed to criminal prosecution.</p><p>PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III declined to elaborate on the case, citing that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is already handling the matter.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/26/doj-to-reach-out-to-supreme-court-on-missing-sabungeros-case-1343">READ: DOJ to reach out to Supreme Court on missing sabungeros case</a></div><p>However, when pressed by reporters, Torre said the PNP, through its Internal Affairs Service, will support the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in its investigation.</p><p>He added that the PNP would also provide the DOJ with all the information, assistance, and personnel it may need.</p><p>&quot;We will ensure the rights of everyone are protected,&quot; Torre 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/T_mYG5m_7rE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The accused, who has expressed interest in becoming a state witness for his protection, earlier claimed that around 20 police officers were behind the abduction and alleged killing of over a hundred sabungeros between April 2021 and January 2022.</p>

The accused, who has expressed interest in becoming a state witness for his protection, earlier claimed that around 20 police officers were behind the abduction and alleged killing of over a hundred sabungeros between April 2021 and January 2022.

'Walang sustansya': PNP-IAS says missing sabungero probe weak without sworn affidavit

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'Walang sustansya': PNP-IAS says missing sabungero probe weak without sworn affidavit

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 01, 2025 01:12 PM PHT

Read More:

missing sabungeros

lost sabungeros

Brigido Dulay

Internal Affairs Service

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Nicolas Torre III

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