DOJ insists case buildup in missing ‘sabungeros’ not personality-driven

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DOJ insists case buildup in missing ‘sabungeros’ not personality-driven

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

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Relatives of the missing sabungeros turn emotional as they wait anxiously after authorities recovered suspected remains of the missing cockfighting enthusiast during the second day of search operations in Taal Lake, Laurel, Batangas, on Friday, July 11, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsRelatives of the missing sabungeros turn emotional as they wait anxiously after authorities recovered suspected remains of the missing cockfighting enthusiast during the second day of search operations in Taal Lake, Laurel, Batangas, on Friday, July 11, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday insisted that the probe on missing “sabungeros” is not a witch hunt and not personality-driven, as whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan linked businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto in the disappearances.

A sack containing what appeared to be burnt human bones and more sacks were recovered in the Taal Lake on Thursday and Friday—when authorities started their retrieval operations in the area.

This stemmed from Patidongan’s statement that some missing individuals were submerged in the lake—allegedly ordered or masterminded by Ang.

Ang and Barretto have denied the whistleblower's allegations.

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Despite these recent developments, Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said they wanted the case on the sabungeros to be of quality, evidence-ready, and based on science.

“Kaya nga i-take out ang personality. This investigation is not at all personality-driven or directed at a particular group of persons, ito ay ebidensya lamang, trabaho lamang ang hinahabol natin, at sinisigurado natin na kailangan lang under the case buildup rule, 'yung mataas na antas ng ebidensya,” Vasquez said.

“Kailangan natin itaas ang antas ng ating criminal prosecution and investigation kasi mataas na rin 'yung degree ng filing ng kaso, hindi na lang probable cause kundi prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction,” he added.

“Wala na 'yung kakasuhan ka ng karakaraka lamang o harassment suit at weaponization of penal laws and frivolous cases,” the official said.

Vasquez also hailed the recent development, saying the discoveries could shed light on the issues at hand.

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“Nagkaroon ngayon ng pagkakataon para malaman ang buong katotohanan. Kasi dati-dati sabi storya lang, but it seems ngayon, it appears na mayroon nang supporting real evidence from the ground na nagpapakita ng katotohanan at kapani-paniwala na isiniwalat sa atin,” said the justice official.

“That’s a good development and that’s a good stride towards having a final resolution of this present case,” he added.

He also vowed they would follow and check thoroughly where the pieces of evidence would be brought to them and who should be really held accountable for the cockfight enthusiasts’ disappearances.

Authorities have begun collecting DNA samples from the families of missing cockfight enthusiasts to check against the bones already recovered.

Justice Spokesperson Mico Clavano on Friday said it would take between 24 and 48 hours to determine if the bones are human remains. The collection began Wednesday with the families at the site of search operations.

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Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla has yet to say who will be tapped to conduct a forensic examination of the bones.


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