'Dapat mapanagot': Marcos orders thorough investigation on 'missing sabungeros'

The families of the missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungero on Friday, December 2, 2022 show their photographs during a meeting with Secretary Crispin Remulla. ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has directed law enforcement authorities to continue their investigation into the case of missing sabungeros.

DOJ to vet new claims on 'missing sabungeros' case

This, after a key witness claimed that around 20 police officers were allegedly behind the abduction and killing of over a hundred cockfight enthusiasts.

"Ipagpatuloy po ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga para malaman kung sino ba talaga ang sangkot dito at mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a Malacañang briefing.

The Palace official, however, noted the need for substantive evidence to support the testimonies of witnesses.

“Ayon nga rin po sa DOJ ay mayroon pong apat na witnesses na maaaring tumulong, pero kailangan pa nilang i-evaluate ang mga testimony nila para malaman kung sino iyong puwedeng maging state witness," she said.

DOJ taps PCG, Navy divers to locate remains of missing sabungeros in Taal Lake

Malacañang also expressed confidence in the integrity of the country’s courts, after the DOJ warned that the supposed mastermind behind the missing sabungeros has money to influence the judiciary.

“Naniniwala po tayo sa integridad ng ating korte at ito ay masusolusyunan na naaayon sa batas at naaayon sa rule of law,” Castro said.

Police linked to missing sabungero case? PNP vows no one will be spared

The new witness admitted that the sabungeros are dead and were allegedly strangled with wire before being dumped in Taal lake.

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