Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, representatives from DILG, NBI and PNP met with the families of the missing “sabungeros” on Friday. (Photo from DOJ-PIO)
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he was ordered by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos to closely monitor the case of the missing “sabungeros” or cockfight enthusiasts.
Thirty-four cockfighting enthusiasts have been missing for almost a year. Authorities are investigating the disappearance.
Inatasan tayo ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na tutukan ang mga kaso ng mga nawawalang sabungero. Personal nating kinausap ang pamilya ng mga biktima upang malaman ang iba pang mga impormasyon kaugnay sa kaso.
— Boying Remulla (@BoyingRemulla31) December 2, 2022
On Friday, Remulla met with the families of the missing “sabungeros” where they agreed to have regular dialogue for the case and investigation updates.
Also present during the meeting are representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“Nag-agree kami magkaroon ng regular dialogues. Hopefully, every second Wednesday of the month. January ang susunod. Magkikita kami uli [We agreed to have regular dialogue. Hopefully, every second Wednesday of the month. Our next meeting will be January],” Remulla told reporters.
Napagkasunduan namin na magkaroon ng regular na pagpupulong at dayalogo para bumilis ang pag-usad ng kaso.
— Boying Remulla (@BoyingRemulla31) December 2, 2022
On Thursday, the PNP, through its Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), filed kidnapping complaints before the DOJ against two suspects for the missing sabungeros in Laguna.
READ: 2 suspects behind missing cockfighters face kidnap raps
Last October, a complaint was filed by the NBI against 11 police officers for missing “sabungeros” in Cavite.
READ: NBI raps 11 cops for disappearance of 4 men in police custody
The families urged the DOJ to resolve the complaints filed by the NBI and police.
But Remulla said: “I cannot promise anything I cannot control. But I can urge them to resolve it in the soonest possible time.”
Remulla said four other cases have to be filed.
“There are leads in other cases that are still being followed up. Bilib din ako, matiyaga din talaga ang CIDG. [I admire the CIDG for their diligence]. They are getting a lot of evidence, given the circumstances na mahirap to [this (case) is difficult]. Meron ng mga leads [There are already leads],” he said.
“Ang role ko dito [My role here] is to coordinate everything. We are trying to put everybody together for a clear dialogue, clear direction,” Remulla said.
Remulla said 16 families appeared during the dialogue.