Twelve policemen, including three ranking officers, are facing administrative charges in connection with the disappearance of several sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts), National Police Commission (Napolcom) vice chair and executive officer Rafael Calinisan announced on Tuesday.

The charges are based on the sworn statement of whistleblower Dondon Patidongan, known as “Totoy.”

Among those charged are Col. Jacinto Malinao Jr. of the PNP Headquarters Support Service, Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa and Maj. Mark Philip Almedilla, along with nine non-commissioned officers. They are facing administrative raps for grave misconduct, irregularities in the performance of their duties, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

“These are serious offenses and the harshest penalty they may face is dismissal from the service with forfeiture of all benefits,” Calinisan said in a press briefing.

Director Edman Pares of Napolcom’s Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service identified the nine other respondents as Police Executive Master Sergeant Aaron Cabillan, P/Chief Master Sgt. Arturo de la Cruz Jr., P/Senior Master Sgt. Joey Encarnacion, PSMS Mark Anthony Manrique, PSMS Anderson Abary, P/Staff Sgt. Alfredo Andes, P/Staff Sgt. Edmon Muñoz, P/Corporal Angel Joseph Martin and PSSg Renan Fulgencio.

Malinao is also facing a separate case for grave misconduct, grave neglect of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, all related to the controversial case.

Calinisan said Napolcom will make its final decision after giving the respondents a chance to answer the charges.

New witness emerges

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said a new civilian witness will be presented in the case of the missing sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts), adding that his testimony will bolster the credibility of whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as “Totoy.”

“This is very important. It will bolster Totoy’s credibility,” Remulla told reporters in an interview. “It’s not just testimonial evidence; there is actual proof aside from the story.”

Patidongan, one of the original suspects in the case, turned state witness and claimed that more than 100 sabungeros were abducted, murdered, and dumped into Taal Lake by a group that allegedly included policemen.

The DoJ said the new witness — a civilian whose identity was not disclosed — had not appeared in previous media reports on the case.

Remulla also disclosed that a Philippine National Police service commander has been relieved from the investigation following his request to PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.

“I asked General Torre to relieve a service commander and it was granted. That’s why our path to resolving this case is clearer now,” Remulla said.

He clarified that the relief was not due to the officer’s involvement in the disappearances but stemmed from trust issues.