Boying confirms Totoy talks

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said he is talking with Julie "Dondon" Patidongan alias Totoy, a key figure linked to the disappearance of "e-sabong" personalities, met with him and his lawyers due mainly to continuing probe.

Remulla said Totoy is currently “in the process” of filing documents, although no new affidavit was submitted during their latest meeting.

“We were discussing updates and verifications,” Remulla said, adding that Totoy is proving to be a “very reliable” witness with substantial information.

“She knows a lot. We have to know what she knows,” he said, noting that their discussions have expanded to include other people who may be involved in the case.

He revealed that authorities have already spoken to more than 30 individuals as part of the broader probe into the missing e-sabong enthusiasts, some of whom were reportedly killed and buried in secret locations, including cemeteries in Batangas.

The DOJ chief hinted that Totoy could potentially become a state witness but declined to confirm any details. “That’s something we’re still discussing. We have to frame everything within the context of the prosecution service,” he said.

Also, Remulla said poor weather conditions have forced authorities to temporarily suspend underwater search operations in suspected burial sites. “That's why I said we might need six months,” he explained. “We have to build the conditions for a complete and proper search.”

The DOJ is now working to separate the drug war cases from the e-sabong cases, though Remulla acknowledged there are intersections being studied.

“We’re evaluating a large amount of data from the past ten years to prepare solid cases that can withstand legal scrutiny,” he said.

On the ongoing efforts to identify remains exhumed in Batangas, Remulla said no relatives of the three victims buried in Lorel, Lemery have come forward so far. 

Remulla urged the families of other missing sabungeros to submit DNA samples, as the DOJ is establishing a DNA database in order to identify the victims.