Remulla: Cop relieved over ‘suspicious’ acts in missing sabungeros probe

A police service commander has been relieved of his post due to loss of confidence and alleged suspicious actions that could compromise the ongoing investigation into the missing sabungeros case, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed on Tuesday.

In a chance interview, Remulla said, “Meron siyang ikinilos na hindi ko gusto. Napakahalaga kasi ng tiwala sa proseso na ito. Kasi kung wala kang tiwala, paano magsasalita ang mga tao kung hindi buo ang tiwala? 'Yun lang ang aking sinigurado.”

The DOJ chief said he had asked Philippine National Police chief Nicolas Torre for the relief of the commander, which was granted.

The police official’s actions did not appear consistent with efforts to resolve the case.

“Ayoko kasi na nag-aalangan ako sa tao eh,” he added.

Remulla said the decision to relieve the unnamed commander stemmed from past difficulties investigators faced in identifying a crucial individual.

"Investigators had a problem to identify somebody. That somebody they were identifying, eto na ’yon,” Remulla said, hinting at a connection to newly found information from a possible witness.

When pressed if the relieved commander was potentially involved in the disappearances, Remulla clarified, “Not only that. It is not only testimonial evidence, real evidence is involved here. Bukod sa kuwento, may isa pang ebidensiya ito na.”