Jamaine Punzalan

Family members of the missing sabungeros call for justice during a media conference in Quezon City on July 14, 2025.  Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Families of Missing Sabungeros call for Justice

Jeff Caparas

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/175376542781020250714-justice-missing-sabungeros-MD-10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Family members of the missing sabungeros call for justice during a media conference in Quezon City on July 14, 2025.  <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- The National Police Commission (Napolcom) said Tuesday it found probable cause to file administrative cases against 12 police officers tagged in the murder of dozens of missing cockfighting enthusiasts. </p><p>The Napolcom filed cases for grave misconduct, irregularities in the performance of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer against the 12 policemen.</p><p>According to Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) Service Director Edman Pares, the administrative complaint was based primarily on the affidavit of Julie Patidongan, also known as &quot;Alias Totoy,&quot; and other complainants.</p><p>&quot;Ang pinakauna naming batayan, ebidensya namin, we consider in determining whether or not there is probable cause, primarily po &#x27;yung affidavit na po na binigay ni Alias Totoy sa atin, ni Mr. Julie Patidongan. And meron din kaming other documents which we will be attaching in our formal complaint,&quot; said Pares.</p><p>Two separate cases will be filed, according to the IMIS. </p><p>Grave misconduct, grave neglect of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer were charged against a Police Colonel and another against a Lt. Colonel. Meanwhile, 11 others were charged with six counts of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.</p><p>If found guilty, penalties may include suspension, demotion, or dismissal from the service with forfeiture of all benefits.</p><p>All the officers have denied the accusations in their written affidavit.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/11/missing-sabungeros-search-more-sacks-spotted-on-taal-s-lakebed-1327">Missing sabungeros search: More sacks spotted on Taal’s lakebed</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/marcos-gov-t-going-after-masterminds-in-missing-sabungeros-case-1709">Marcos: Gov’t going after masterminds in &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; case</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;WALANG AREGLO&#x27;</strong></div><p>Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan stressed that they will rebuff any attempt to &quot;fix&quot; the case.</p><p>&quot;Wag niyo na hong subukan. Hindi po kami nababayaran at hindi po kami takot sa inyo,&quot; Calinisan said. &quot;Gagawin ho namin ang trabaho namin.&quot;</p><p>&quot;So, yung sa mga nagsubok, yung dalawang grupong nagsubok eh next time na lang po kayo,&quot; he added. &quot;Wala pong puwang ang areglo sa kasong ito. Hindi po mangyayaring naareglo ang inyong National Police Commission. Managinip na lang po kayo.&quot;</p><p>Calinisan revealed earlier this month that two groups have attempted to influence the commission&#x27;s on-going probe.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/21/groups-tried-to-influence-probe-on-12-cops-tagged-in-missing-sabungeros-case-napolcom-1814">Groups tried to influence probe on 12 cops tagged in missing sabungeros case: Napolcom</a></div><p>He also explained on Tuesday that they are in close coordination with the Department of Justice, who will handle the criminal aspect of the case while Napolcom handles the administrative side.</p><p>&quot;We are deferring to the Department of Justice for criminal cases and for other personalities who are non-uniformed personnel,&quot; said Calinisan. &quot;Nahahagip namin yung ibang mga pangalan at we are coordinating directly with the DOJ, particularly the Secretary of Justice, Secretary Boying Remulla, to give information.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Uulitin ko, walang contest po sa lahat po ng ahensya ng gobyerno. Lahat po ng ahensya ng gobyerno ay nagtutulungan para ma-solve na po natin itong uh sabong case na ito,&quot; he added.</p><p>In his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday those behind the disappearance of the &quot;sabungeros&quot; would be held accountable and face severe punishment.</p><p>&quot;Kahit malakas, mabigat o mayaman, hindi sila mangingibabaw sa batas,&quot; he said of the masterminds.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>TIMETABLE AND DUE PROCESS</strong></div><div><strong><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/175377846459220250710-taal-lake-ph-coast-guard-sabungeros-MT03 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Members of the Philippine Coast Guard navigate the waters of Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, as the multi-agency search continues for the missing &#x27;sabungeros.&#x27; Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of the Philippine Coast Guard navigate the waters of Taal Lake in Talisay, Batangas, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, as the multi-agency search continues for the missing &#x27;sabungeros.&#x27; <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></strong></div><p>After filing of formal charge, the respondents will be given time to answer the complaints. Hearings will follow, after which findings will be submitted to the Napolcom en banc for resolution.</p><p>&quot;We promised the Filipino people we will resolve this within 60 days. That clock started when Alyas Totoy filed his affidavit. Barring weather delays, we are on track to keep that promise,&quot; said Calinisan. </p><p>As the administrative process proceeds, questions remain on whether the officers will face preventive suspension — an option available to Napolcom if they determine there is a risk to life and limb or the integrity of the case.</p><p>&quot;Let&#x27;s wait for the formal charge to be filed,&quot; Calinisan said. &quot;But preventive suspension is definitely on the table.&quot;</p><p>The IMIS said the administrative charges will not be affected even if Alias Totoy will face criminal charges from authorities.</p><p>The spate of mysterious 2022 disappearances in the country&#x27;s huge cockfighting industry erupted back into the public consciousness last month with the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/10/whistleblower-hopes-remains-of-missing-sabungeros-are-found-soon-1815">appearance of a witness</a> claiming to know where bodies had been submerged in Lake Taal.</p><p>Since beginning the search on July 10, the Philippine Coast Guard has found five bags at the bottom of the lake, some of which contained human bones. </p><p>Around 30 individuals were initially reported missing between 2021 and 2022 in connection with alleged game fixing in online cockfighting or e-sabong, though some claims suggest the number may be higher.</p><p>Filipinos from all walks of life wager millions of dollars on matches every week between roosters who fight to the death with razor-sharp metal spurs tied to their legs.</p><p>Cockfighting, banned in many other countries, survived coronavirus pandemic restrictions by going online, drawing many more gamblers who use their mobile phones to place wagers.</p><p>Former president Rodrigo Duterte banned the livestreaming of cockfights shortly before leaving office in 2022, but it has continued due to lax enforcement. -- <strong>with Agence France-Presse</strong></p><div><br/></div><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/h7AMyYfczIU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The National Police Commission said Tuesday it found probable cause to file administrative cases against 12 police officers tagged in the murder of dozens of missing cockfighting enthusiasts.</p>

The National Police Commission said Tuesday it found probable cause to file administrative cases against 12 police officers tagged in the murder of dozens of missing cockfighting enthusiasts.

12 cops in ‘sabungeros’ disappearance face administrative case

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12 cops in ‘sabungeros’ disappearance face administrative case

Jeff Caparas,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 29, 2025 01:06 PM PHT

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Updated July 29, 2025 04:49 PM PHT

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