30 persons under probe in sabungeros case

More than 30 persons are under investigation for their alleged involvement in the case of the missing sabungeros, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Friday.

Remulla made the disclosure after talking with whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan who called on the secretary at the Department of Justice (DoJ).

Remulla said that based on the testimony of Patidongan, “there may be more than 30 persons” involved in the case of the missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts.

The DoJ chief did not name them, however. Already implicated by Patidongan are a known gambling tycoon, an actress, and several police officers. All of them have denied any involvement in the case.

Remulla said the DoJ has been conducting the investigation and will prosecute those involved.

“We are going through that process. ‘Yun ang aming tinatrabaho (That’s what we are working on),” he said.

He said that, so far, Patidongan has been “very reliable.” “Marami siyang alam talaga (he really knows a lot) and so we have to know what he knows.’

He added that Patidongan has not been placed in the DoJ’s Witness Protection Program (WPP) “but the door is open.”

Meanwhile, Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano on Friday said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has temporarily called off the search for the remains of the sabungeros in Taal Lake due to the stormy weather.

In a message, Clavano said, “On or about 18 July at 9:29 in the morning Coast Guard underwater search operations utilizing its tech divers and ROV was temporarily placed on standby due to continuous rainfall and surface runoff from the nearby river.”

He added that the elevated turbidity levels significantly reduced underwater visibility resulting in unfavorable conditions for the conduct of dive operations. He said an update will be given shortly.