Napolcom bares attempts to ‘fix’ sabungeros case

National Police Commission (Napolcom) vice chairperson and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan on Tuesday confirmed there were attempts by two groups to interfere in the investigation into the alleged involvement of 12 police officers in the high-profile case of the missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts.

In a statement, Calinisan said the Napolcom received credible information pointing to the efforts to influence the ongoing inquiry.

“There are two groups trying to interfere. The first one involves a cockfighting operator who’s trying to protect his police allies. The second is a group linked to a local government executive who wants to clear his name and has been doing all sorts of things to fix his case — even trying to reach out to me directly,” Calinisan said.

He stressed that he found both attempts deeply offensive.

“I find both approaches insulting. I will decide on these cases based on the evidence at hand, based on our investigations, and ever mindful of due process for all concerned. We will be fair. We will dispose of this case without fear or favor,” he said.

Despite the attempts to interfere, Calinisan assured the public the Napolcom is committed to impartiality, transparency, and due process.

“So I will not allow, we will not allow, any sort of backdoor negotiations. My message to these two groups is this: don’t even try. The President has given us clear orders — no coverups, no stone unturned. Here at Napolcom, we won’t let anyone influence us. We are not afraid. We will not back down,” Calinisan said.

Napolcom’s Inspection, Monitoring, and Investigation Service is currently evaluating the counter-affidavits submitted on 21 July by the 12 active police officers. These were filed in response to the administrative complaints from a key witness identified as “Totoy.”

Calinisan emphasized that the commission will stand firm in the face of external pressures and will let the evidence speak for itself. He also urged anyone with relevant information to step forward and help ensure that justice is served.

“This investigation is being handled with the highest degree of integrity. We owe that to the families of the missing individuals and to the Filipino people,” he said.