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GMA Network
21 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
SOJ Remulla: There is a new witness in missing sabungeros case
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Tuesday authorities will soon present a new witness in the case of the missing sabungeros that will bolster the credibility of whistleblower Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan alias Totoy. 'Napakahagala. It bolsters the credibility of Totoy,' Remulla said in an ambush interview. ((It's) Very important. It bolsters the credibility of Totoy.) 'Hindi lang ito testimonial evidence. May real evidence na involved dito. Meron dito totoong ebidensya na bukod sa kwento,' he later added. (This is not just testimonial evidence. There is real evidence involved here. There is actual proof aside from the story.) Patidongan, one of the accused in the case, previously told authorities that more than 100 sabungeros were abducted, killed, and then dumped at Taal Lake. According to Remulla, the new witness is a civilian whose name has yet to appear in media reports. Police officer relieved from post Meanwhile, Remulla also met with PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III at the Department of Justice main building. He said he extended his gratitude to Torre for agreeing to his request to relieve a service commander from the case. 'Nakiusap ako kay General Torre na i-relieve yung isang service commander at nangyari naman. Kaya ngayon malinaw na naman ang aming landas patungo sa paglutas ng problemang ito,' he said. (I asked General Torre to relieve a service commander and it happened. So now our path toward resolving this problem is once again clear.) The Justice secretary clarified that the service commander was not removed for supposed involvement in the disappearance of the sabungeros, but due to a lack of trust. 'Meron siyang kinilos na hindi ko gusto,' he said. (He did something that I didn't like,) 'Alam ninyo napakahalaga ng gantong tiwala sa prosesong ito. Tiwala ang pinakamahalagang ano dito, magkaroon. Kasi kapag wala kang tiwala, paano magsasalita ang mga tao. Hindi buo ang tiwala. 'Yun lang ang aking sinigurado,' he added. (You know, trust is very important in this process. Trust is the most important thing here, to have. Because if you don't have trust, how will people speak? The trust isn't whole. That's the only thing I made sure of.) He said the service commander is also not among the 12 cops who are accused of being involved in the case. The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has found probable cause to file an administrative case against these cops. Remulla said he will compare notes with NAPOLCOM vice chairperson and executive officer Atty. Rafael Calinisan regarding the direction of the investigation. Aside from this, he said he will also talk to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. this week regarding the case. In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA 2025), Marcos said the entire government is doing everything to solve the case of missing sabungeros, noting that even those with influence, who are allegedly involved in the crime, will never be above the law. Meanwhile, Remulla said that the search and retrieval operation at the Taal Lake has also resumed after it was temporarily suspended due to inclement weather. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
House probe on missing sabungeros sought
A congressional inquiry on the missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) has been proposed in the House of Representatives amid the ongoing search for their possible remains in Taal Lake. Manila Rep. Benny Abante made the call under House Resolution 53, saying that the disappearance of 34 sabungeros between 2021 to 2022 is just as worse as extrajudicial killings. 'The disappearance of the 'missing sabungeros' is no different from the extrajudicial killings in the fight against illegal drugs, a clear violation of human rights which is no longer just about gambling but about justice, accountability, the rule of law, and blatant disrespect of and disregard to the value and dignity of human life,' Abante's Resolution read. 'Now, therefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, that the House of Representatives, condemn as it hereby condemns in the strongest terms, the abduction and supposed killing of the 'missing' sabungeros; Resolved further, that the House of Representatives conduct an investigation in aid of legislation on the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of these sabungeros,' the Resolution added. It was one of the accused, Julie "Dondon' Patidongan or alias Totoy, who claimed that more than 100 sabungeros were abducted, killed, and then dumped at Taal Lake. Likewise, Totoy accused businessman Charlie 'Atong' Ang and actress Gretchen Barreto, as well as police officials, of being involved in their disappearance. Ang and a number of police officials identified by Totoy have denied such allegations. Meanwhile, the same Resolution also called for the reinstatement of the House Quad Committee under the 20th Congress to probe the case of missing sabungeros. The House Quad Committee under the previous 19th Congress, composed of four House panels on dangerous drugs, accounts, human rights and public order/safety investigated the drug war killings during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte and crimes related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Congress has the authority to conduct investigations in aid of legislation and has the authority to recommend the filing of criminal charges based on the results of the congressional inquiry. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
The Star
08-07-2025
- The Star
Philippines detains 15 police officers over alleged killings of cockfighting fans
FILE PHOTO: This photo taken on March 22, 2022 shows roosters squaring off during a cockfight at the World Slasher Cup 2022 in Manila. The Philippines justice secretary said on July 4, 2025 he has asked for Japan's technical assistance in searching for dozens of cockfighting participants allegedly killed by rogue police and dumped in a lake south of Manila. - AFP MANILA: Fifteen police officers have been taken into custody and are being investigated for their alleged role in the abductions and feared killings of at least 34 cockfighting fans, the Philippine police chief said Monday (July 7). The missing people were accused of cheating in the hugely popular sport, with their bodies reportedly dumped in a scenic lake with a restive volcano. The victims went missing around 2021 and 2022 mostly while on their way to or from cockfighting arenas dotting the main northern Philippine region of Luzon, including in the metropolitan Manila capital region. The unresolved disappearances again drew public attention after a key witness recently surfaced and accused his former employer, a gambling tycoon, of masterminding the killings, with bodies reportedly dumped in Taal Lake south of Manila or burned elsewhere. National police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said in a news conference that a key witness, who used the alias "Totoy,' provided crucial details. The cockfighting aficionados and workers were strangled and mutilated before being dumped. Police investigators have corroborated the details and evidence provided by the witness which will be used in criminal complaints to be filed by the Department of Justice against the suspects, he said. The witness has told local TV networks that he decided to speak out because his former employer was allegedly threatening to have him killed. He said he wanted to help ease the agony of families of the victims who had been demanding justice for their missing kin. "I was very shocked,' Torre said when asked how he felt over the disclosures made by the witness, who is under police guard. "It firmed up our resolve to really solve this because what happened was savage and not acceptable by any standard.' Criminal complaints will be filed against the influential businessman, who owns cockfighting arenas and other gambling businesses, and other suspects, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said. The businessman has denied the allegations. Remulla said he would ask Japan to help provide technology to help look for traces of the remains of the victims, which could still be retrieved from the bottom of Taal Lake about four years after the killings. While banned in the United States and other Western countries largely due to animal cruelty concerns, cockfighting has been a popular pastime and gambling sport in many parts of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Latin America and some parts of Europe. Cockfighting arenas are found prominently in far-flung rural towns and major cities across the Philippines and draw large numbers of aficionados in an industry that has become a vibrant part of the local culture and a regulated gambling business that generates state revenues and thousands of jobs. The game involves pitting two roosters - with razor-sharp gaffs or steel blades attached to their legs - in a battle often to the death amid the roar of the crowd. The missing cockfighting aficionados and workers were accused of cheating by discreetly taking steps to weaken one rooster or diminishing its chances of winning, including by slightly injuring it, then betting on the other rooster. - AP
GMA Network
08-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Alias Totoy didn't link any NBI agent to missing sabungero case —Santiago
National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago on Tuesday said that Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan or alias Totoy did not link any agent of the bureau to the case of the cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros who disappeared from 2021 to 2022. 'Alam ninyo, sa isang programa, ay sinabi na ni Totoy na hindi naman daw niya sinasabi na merong involvement ang NBI,' Santiago said in a press briefing. (You know, in one program, Totoy already said that he wasn't claiming that the NBI was involved.) 'Kasi sinabihan ko yesterday… sinabihan ko siya na kung sinuman ang NBI na involved, pangalanan mo. Kung hindi mo alam ang pangalan, pwede naman magpa-lineup. But then, in one program, inamin niya na wala siyang sinasabi na may involved na NBI,' he added. (Because I told him yesterday… I told him that if there really is someone from the NBI involved, he should name them. If he doesn't know the name, he can request a lineup. But then, in one program, he admitted that he never actually said anyone from the NBI was involved.) On Monday, Santiago dared Patidongan to name the NBI agents allegedly involved in the alleged execution of the missing sabungeros. Santiago said the NBI was vindicated by the clarification. 'Ang tiwala ng tao sa amin ayaw ko masira. Ang NBI ay isang institution na pinagkakatiwalaan ng tao,' he said. (I don't want to break the people's trust in us. The NBI is an institution that the public relies on.) Meanwhile, Santiago reiterated that the NBI is willing to extend its aid in the case, saying that no coordination with the Department of Justice is needed as the bureau is an attached agency. 'Sabi ko nga, pinagyayabang ko nga we have forensic expertise on the matter: DNA, lie detection, whatever. Kung anong gustong ipa-assist sa amin, kung anong gustong itulong sa amin ay ibibigay namin,' he said. (As I said, I was pointing out that we have forensic expertise on the matter: DNA, lie detection, whatever. Whatever assistance they want from us, whatever help they need, we will provide.) Patidongan previously said that the bodies of the 34 missing sabungeros were buried in Taal Lake. He has 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. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
The Independent
08-07-2025
- The Independent
15 Philippine police officers in custody over feared killings of cockfighters
At least 15 police officers are being investigated while in custody for their alleged role in the abductions and feared killings of at least 34 cockfighters, the Philippine police chief has said. The missing people were accused of cheating in the hugely popular sport, with their bodies reportedly dumped in a scenic lake with a restive volcano. The victims went missing around 2021 and 2022, mostly while on their way to or from cockfighting arenas dotting the main northern Philippine region of Luzon, including in the metropolitan Manila capital region. The unresolved disappearances again drew public attention after a key witness recently surfaced and accused his former employer, a gambling tycoon, of masterminding the killings, with bodies reportedly dumped in Taal Lake south of Manila or burned elsewhere. National police chief Gen Nicolas Torre III said in a news conference that a key witness, who used the alias 'Totoy,' provided crucial details. The cockfighting aficionados and workers were strangled and mutilated before being dumped. Police investigators have corroborated the details and evidence provided by the witness, which will be used in criminal complaints to be filed by the Department of Justice against the suspects, he said. The witness has told local TV networks that he decided to speak out because his former employer was allegedly threatening to have him killed. He said he wanted to help ease the agony of families of the victims who had been demanding justice for their missing kin. 'I was very shocked,' Torre said when asked how he felt over the disclosures made by the witness, who is under police guard. 'It firmed up our resolve to really solve this because what happened was savage and not acceptable by any standard.' Criminal complaints will be filed against the influential businessman, who owns cockfighting arenas and other gambling businesses, and other suspects, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said. The businessman has denied the allegations. Remulla said he would ask Japan to help provide technology to help look for traces of the remains of the victims, which could still be retrieved from the bottom of Taal Lake about four years after the killings. While banned in the US and other Western countries largely due to animal cruelty concerns, cockfighting has been a popular pastime and gambling sport in many parts of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Latin America and some parts of Europe. Cockfighting arenas are found prominently in far-flung rural towns and major cities across the Philippines and draw large numbers of aficionados in an industry that has become a vibrant part of the local culture and a regulated gambling business that generates state revenues and thousands of jobs. The game involves pitting two roosters — with razor-sharp gaffs or steel blades attached to their legs — in a battle often to the death amid the roar of the crowd. The missing cockfighting aficionados and workers were accused of cheating by discreetly taking steps to weaken one rooster or diminish its chances of winning, including by slightly injuring it, then betting on the other rooster.
