Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday said the government is building a complex case against a powerful group that may have orchestrated a wave of killings linked to illegal e-sabong, revealing that some public officials and police officers could be complicit.

Remulla said investigators are working closely with a key witness who recently surfaced and gave a sworn statement identifying the mastermind of the syndicate.

He said the syndicate leader had boasted he could beat any case filed against him—even before the Supreme Court.

“He reportedly said he could handle any case, even at the Supreme Court. That’s why we plan to talk to Chief Justice [Alexander] Gesmundo about this,” Remulla said.

Asked what he would discuss with the Chief Justice, Remulla replied: “We’ll tell him what’s hindering our progress. The syndicate has overwhelming financial resources. The money they’re working with is staggering.”

Remulla said he could not yet disclose the identity of the syndicate head, describing him only as a “well-known personality.”

The investigation traces its roots to the mysterious disappearance of more than 30 cockfighting aficionados, or sabungeros, between 2021 and 2022.

Remulla has expressed concern over the breadth of the syndicate’s influence, saying there are signs of a separate network of police officers aligned with the group.

In parts of Luzon, he said, there are reports that local government units cannot operate their own e-sabong ventures without securing the approval of powerful individuals.

“I don’t know about that,” Remulla said, “but this group does appear to be very powerful.”

Hoping against hope?

Despite mounting suspicions of a broader institutional involvement, Remulla said he hopes local officials and courts are not entangled.

“Hopefully not. We’re hoping they aren’t involved,” he said.

The victims were last seen in places in Laguna, Manila, and Bulacan, lured there by job offers or appointments tied to online cockfighting operations.

Among the most notorious cases was the abduction of six men from the Manila Arena in January 2022. Despite being caught on surveillance video, suspects have not been identified, fueling speculation of a broader network at play.

Whistleblowers and families of the missing have pointed to the possible involvement of rogue police officers.

In May 2022, then President Rodrigo Duterte suspended e-sabong operations amid a public outrage and allegations of institutional protection of criminal elements.

In response, the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs launched four hearings into the matter.

Implicated

The lawmakers called out the operators of major e-sabong firms, particularly Charlie “Atong” Ang and his company Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., which managed the arenas from where several sabungeros went missing.

The Senate panel recommended further investigation by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Two police officers—Patrolman Roy Navarrete and Staff Sgt. Daryl Paghangaan—were investigated by Congress in connection with the disappearance of master agent Ricardo “Jonjon” Lasco in San Pablo City.

Both were implicated by the victims’ families and are being probed for possible criminal and administrative charges.

The Senate also adopted Resolution 996, signed by 24 senators, urging an immediate halt to e-sabong operations until the missing persons cases are resolved.