Murder cases being readied as search for bodies of missing sabungeros intensifies: DOJ

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Murder cases being readied as search for bodies of missing sabungeros intensifies: DOJ

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

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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 

MANILA — The Department of Justice said Tuesday it was preparing cases of murder, in addition to the serious illegal detention and kidnapping cases, in connection to the missing “sabungeros” or cockfight enthusiasts.

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said lawyers were evaluating the case as various law enforcement groups prepared for the actual search of the bodies said to be buried in Taal Lake.

Whistleblower Julie Patidongan earlier said that the sabungeros were buried in Taal Lake as he also tagged businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto.

With Ang and Barretto being named by Patidongan, Remulla said last week that they would be considered as suspects. 

“We’re rolling by the day, we are looking at everything by the day and at the same time, in conference din ang ating lawyers about the cases that are being evaluated for filing from kidnapping to international humanitarian law, these are considered probable cases that we are filing, together with murder and other cases, that have to be filed against the perpetrators,” Remulla said.

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Remulla also noted the wide network of the suspects, calling the crime as “corporate killing.”

“Hindi lang siya Alpha Group, meron pa raw siya hanggang Delta Group, Charlie Group, Bravo Group, tiered lang siya according to the income stream that they all receive out of this e-sabong industry,” Remulla said.

He added that they have already identified the person involved in the use of “ground zero” or the fishpond in Taal Lake where the bodies were allegedly buried.

“Hinahanap na iyan or nahanap na basta meron ng assigned to do that,” Remulla said.

“Involved lang sa subcontracting ng disposition ng persons to be killed, buhay pa ang mga tao dinadala sa kanila doon pinapatay, grabe ito, it’s a very ghastly scene that we can imagine,” Remulla said.

Asked about various legislative proposals against online gambling and the possibility of including e-sabong or online cockfight, Remulla said the issue needed further study.

“We are there already, we are evaluating everything now basta yan ay dine-debate ang policy tungkol diyan, dapat diyan kasi fina-fine tune ang policy we cannot just be talking our heads off then later on hindi pala natin napakinggan ang kabilang side,” Remulla said.


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