Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779347236162Screen Shot 2026-05-21 at 3.06.49 PM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><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/File</em><br/></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Two police officers accused of facilitating alleged clandestine meetings between relatives of the missing sabungeros and dismissed police officers linked to the case have been relieved from their posts, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/20/only-5-complainants-remain-in-missing-sabungeros-case-amid-alleged-payoff-attempts-1849">Only 5 complainants remain in missing sabungeros case amid alleged payoff attempts</a></div><p>The relieved officers were identified as Lt. Nadame Malang, spokesperson of the PNP Highway Patrol Group, and Maj. Reynaldo Pañebe, Jr. of the PNP Custodial Center.</p><p>According to HPG acting director Brig. Gen. Rommel Batangan, initial investigation showed that Malang merely assisted individuals who were fetched outside Camp Crame and brought inside the police headquarters.</p><p>“Si Lt. Malang ay in-approach ng isang indibidwal at nagpunta dito sa headquarters ng HPG upang tulungan ang tatlong indibidwal na sunduin doon sa labas ng Camp Crame,” Batangan said.</p><p>“Isinakay po niya doon sa personal niyang sasakyan upang makapasok po ‘yung mga indibidwal dito sa Camp Crame,” he added.</p><p>Batangan said Malang’s participation allegedly ended there, but stressed that as spokesperson of the HPG, it was not part of his duties to involve himself in the matter.</p><p>“As the PIO ng aming unit, supposed to be, hindi po niya trabaho doon ang makisawsaw doon sa isyu na ‘yun,” he said.</p><p>Batangan added that while an investigation is ongoing, Malang was immediately relieved following the directive of PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and the recommendation of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).</p><p>Meanwhile, PNP Headquarters Support Service (HSS) acting director PBGen. Manuel Abrugena said authorities have yet to determine if unauthorized visitors were actually allowed inside the PNP custodial facility.</p><p>“Base po doon sa initial investigation, hindi pa po namin sa kasalukuyan masasagot kung totoo o may katotohanan na pinapasok [ni Pañebe] dahil wala pa po kami matibay na pagkukunan ng ebidensya,” Abrugena said.</p><p>He confirmed that CCTV cameras were installed in the area but said the HSS does not keep the footage.</p><p>Abrugena also said Pañebe admitted that visitors had gone to the custodial facility, but failed to identify them during questioning.</p><p>“Hindi po niya napangalanan kung sino po ‘yung mga tao na bumibisita doon sa ating PUPC,” he said.</p><p>Authorities also confirmed that records of visitors exist, but said investigators are focused on gathering sufficient evidence to establish possible violations committed by personnel.</p><p>PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño clarified that the relieved officers were not being presumed guilty.</p><p>“Hindi po natin sinasabi na agad guilty ‘yung dalawang personnel natin pero as a matter of SOP natin, ipo-proseso po natin,” Tuaño said.</p><p>He added that the relief of the two officers was meant to prevent them from influencing the ongoing investigation.</p><p>The development came after families of the missing sabungeros filed a complaint before the NAPOLCOM on Wednesday against the two officers for allegedly assisting and facilitating their access to detained police officers being held at the custodial facility inside Camp Crame in Quezon City.</p><p>The complainants alleged that before the visit, they were approached by a lawyer of wanted businessman Atong Ang, who supposedly encouraged them to speak with the detained officers.</p><p>In response, NAPOLCOM Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Commissioner Rafael Calinisan directed the Commission’s Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service to conduct a motu proprio investigation into the possible administrative liabilities of the involved police personnel.</p><p>Calinisan said any attempt to improperly influence complainants or interfere in the pursuit of justice would not be tolerated.</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/NJM6hVeODoM?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño clarified that the relieved officers were not being presumed guilty.</p>

PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño clarified that the relieved officers were not being presumed guilty.

PNP relieves 2 cops linked to alleged clandestine meetings in sabungeros case

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PNP relieves 2 cops linked to alleged clandestine meetings in sabungeros case

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 21, 2026 03:08 PM PHT

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