NBI ready to lend forensic expertise in missing sabungero case
'Yes, I am volunteering. Kung kailangan nila ng forensic expertise namin, I am very willing na i-extend ang aming forensic expertise,' Santiago said in an ambush interview.
(Yes, I am volunteering. If they need our forensic expertise, I am very willing to extend our forensic expertise.)
Julie "Dondon" Patidongan or alias Totoy, one of the accused in the case, previously said that the bodies of the 34 missing sabungeros were buried in Taal Lake.
Due to this, the Philippine government has asked Japan for technical assistance.
Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology also said that the agency is willing to lend its expertise and equipment in the search for the sabungeros.
Last week, Patidongan also named businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind in the case. He also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearance.
The two have denied the allegations against them, with Ang saying that Patidongan threatened to link him to the disappearance if he refused to pay P300 million while Barretto said she received a similar threat. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
13 hours ago
- GMA Network
SC probing members of judiciary amid alleged case fixing —Remulla
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Supreme Court is now investigating members of the judiciary amid allegations of case fixing. The Supreme Court (SC) is now investigating members of the judiciary amid allegations of case fixing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday. 'Actually, iniimbestigahan na siya ng SC (SC is already investigating it),' Remulla said in an ambush interview. He issued the remark when about allegations that a former judge allegedly helped fix cases for businessman Atong Ang, who was named by one of the accused as a mastermind in the disappearance of the sabungeros from 2021 to 2022. However, when asked about who are being investigated, Remulla said 'iba-iba.' GMA News Online has sought confirmation from the SC but has yet to receive a response as of posting time. Remulla previously warned that the possible mastermind in the case of the missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros may have the money to infiltrate even Philippine courts. He had said he would talk with Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo regarding this. According to Remulla, he discussed the matter with a justice on Monday morning. 'Basta they're doing their job. Ano naman sila eh, hindi naman sila balat sibuyas eh. They're very sensitive about what should be done to improve our justice system,' he said. (As long as they're doing their job. They're not overly sensitive or thin-skinned. They're very aware of what needs to be done to improve our justice system.) 'And that's what we've been agreeing on since we started three years ago with the Justice Sector Coordinating Council. Kaya we're always in agreement with regards to how to improve the justice system,' he added. Last week, Patidongan named Ang as a mastermind in the case. He also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearance. The two have denied the allegations against them, with Ang saying that Patidongan threatened to link him to the disappearance if he refused to pay P300 million while Barretto said she received a similar threat.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15 hours ago
- GMA Network
Robin: Bato, Bong Go back reso calling for Duterte's return
Senator Robin Padilla said Monday that allies Senators Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa and Christopher "Bong" Go have signed a resolution calling for the repatriation of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands over charges of crimes against humanity. The resolution, which has yet to be filed by Padilla in the 20th Congress, seeks to express the sense of the Senate to urge the Philippine government to secure the immediate repatriation of Duterte. 'This is more than just a resolution,' the senator said. 'It is a call for unity, for respect of our sovereignty, and for justice for a former President who bravely served the nation.' Padilla said he remains open to fellow senators who wish to sign the resolution in the coming days. Duterte was arrested on March 11 in Manila, delivered to ICC custody on March 12, and detained at the ICC Detention Center on March 13. He is currently detained in the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague for charges of crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings during his administration's war on drugs. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16 hours ago
- GMA Network
DOJ eyes Taal Lake search for sabungero remains this week
Asked if the authorities had specific locations in mind, Remulla said, 'Merong fishpond lease ang isang suspect na ano natin, tinutukoy natin. Bali 'yun ang ating ano... ground zero natin." The authorities are looking to start searching Taal Lake this week for the bodies of the missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts who were abducted and allegedly killed in 2021 to 2022, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday. One of the accused in the abduction of some of the cockfighters, Julie "Dondon" Patidongan has said that the victims were killed on the days they were taken. He said their bodies were tied to sandbags before they were thrown into the lake. Patidongan also named businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind in the case. He also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearances. Both have denied anything to do in the abductions and the killings. Ang also filed a complaint for robbery and other crimes against Patidongan. 'We're asking them to start this week,' Remulla told reporters. 'We want to map it out and look at the condition so we can plan how to go about it,' he added. Asked if the authorities had specific locations in mind, Remulla said, 'Merong fishpond lease ang isang suspect na ano natin, tinutukoy natin. Bali 'yun ang ating ano... ground zero natin." (One of the suspects has a fishpond lease. That is our... ground zero.) The Philippine government has also requested technical assistance from Japan. Remulla said there was no response yet as the request was only made last week. He said the government is expecting a reply any time this week. Over the weekend, the Department of Science and Technology offered to lend its expertise and equipment in the search. The National Bureau of Investigation likewise said it is ready to lend its forensic expertise. When asked if Patidongan is now a state witness, Remulla said this is under discussion. He said there may be more witnesses in the case within the week. Ang has denied the allegations against him, saying that Patidongan threatened to link him to the disappearance if he refused to pay P300 million. –NB, GMA Integrated News
