The dragnet in the “missing sabungeros” case has pulled in at least 15 policemen who may face charges over their alleged involvement in the disappearance and deaths of scores of cockfight enthusiasts, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Friday.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) chief said the movements of the police officers have been restricted, and they were directed to report only to their assigned offices.

During the investigation of the cases, there were allegations that the police officers carried out the executions as part of a “cleansing operation” in the electronic sabong business.

Asked if charges will be filed against the policemen, Remulla said, “Doon na papunta yan (that’s where it’s headed).”

Remulla did not disclose the names of the policemen or their areas of assignment.

No stone unturned

Remulla disclosed the involvement of the police officers after he met with the families of the sabungeros at the DoJ office in Manila and assured them the department is not leaving any stone unturned in resolving the cases.

The widening net in the online gambling frenzy that started during the pandemic is also dragging in the names of government personalities.

Malacañang said Presidential Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz was only invited to an occasion where he was photographed with Alan Bantiles, one of the whistleblowers in the cockfighting enthusiasts’ case.

The picture showed Ruiz in a group photo during what appeared to be a dinner celebration.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, quoting Ruiz, said the photo was taken during a birthday celebration attended by both him and Bantiles.

Remulla had earlier said that businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and his celebrity girlfriend, Gretchen Barretto, were considered suspects and were currently under investigation.

The two have denied the accusations against them.

Remulla said the case of the initial 34 missing individuals was being pursued “beyond private complaints” and has become a matter of state interest.

Remulla, however, declined to comment on the extortion allegations filed by a lawyer of Ang against confessed witness Julie “Don-Don” Patidongan, also known as “Totoy.”

The lawyer claimed Totoy had demanded money from Ang, but Remulla said, “I cannot comment on that.”

He also refused to comment on calls urging the DoJ to ignore Totoy’s statements due to the absence of an affidavit. “No comment,” Remulla said.

Remulla clarified that the witness had issued a statement, and the DoJ was currently evaluating all information related to the case.

“Sometimes you can suffer from indigestion from the information that comes out,” Remulla said. “We just have to weigh everything thoroughly. There’s a lot more police work involved.”

Authorities have identified the possible locations where the bodies of the missing individuals were supposedly dumped, specifically a large freshwater lake more than one square kilometer in size, according to Remulla.

“We are doing everything so that we are up to the task of looking for the remains of the people allegedly thrown in the lake,” he said. “We already have good leads on where to search and how.”

Coordination with local and international experts has begun for lakebed mapping and equipment identification to assess the feasibility of a dredging operation.

Japan offers help

Remulla said the Japanese Embassy has offered assistance, while the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy have also volunteered support, including technical divers.

He emphasized that the DoJ’s investigation will not be swayed by public statements aimed at discrediting Totoy. “It will not affect us anymore. We’ve been looking at this case for the last three years,” he said.

Remulla acknowledged the influence of individuals allegedly behind the disappearances but maintained that the DoJ has remained focused on the case. “We never lost faith… It’s all a process. It does not happen overnight,” he said.

He added that the agency has been working closely with Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, who helped revive the case files over the past two months.

Barretto denies involvement

Decrying as baseless and absurd the accusations against her, actress and businesswoman Gretchen Barretto has denied any involvement in the missing sabungeros case.

In a statement released through her lawyer, Alma Mallonga of Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako, Barretto rejected allegations made by a supposed whistleblower who tagged her as a suspect due to her ties with businessman Atong Ang and her status as an “alpha member” of Pitmaster, a now-defunct e-sabong operator.

“Ms. Barretto has only heard about, and has no relevant knowledge concerning, the disappearances,” the statement read. “She did not operate the sabungan, had no participation in the e-sabong operations... and was merely an investor in the business.”

The whistleblower reportedly changed his story, now characterizing Barretto as a “mastermind” without presenting evidence. The actress’s legal counsel said this shift in the narrative was based on “malicious desperation and speculation,” rather than facts.

Barretto claimed that someone attempted to extort money from her in exchange for keeping her name off the list of suspects. She said she refused to pay up, maintaining that she had done nothing wrong.

“She regrets that she is being crucified without basis, and has become the subject of unsavory speculation based on rumor,” the statement added. “She beseeches the authorities to be fair and thorough, and for the public not to rush to judgment.”

The actress said she will fully cooperate with the investigation, trusting that a thorough inquiry will ultimately clear her.