Slain sabungeros' families vow to keep fighting for justice

One of the remaining complainants in the missing sabungeros case vowed Friday to continue pursuing justice as multiple criminal cases against the accused proceeded before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

Dianne Loyola, whose husband was among the missing sabungeros, said her family remains committed to pursuing the cases despite the dwindling number of complainants.

"We've been fighting for this for a long time. Of course, we want to get justice for our families," Loyola said in an interview.

Loyola attended Friday's hearing after the cases, which were originally filed before a court in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, were transferred to Quezon City earlier this month.

She said two other families were expected to join her in the hearings involving charges of kidnapping, kidnapping with homicide, and serious illegal detention against an unnamed police officer and businessman Atong Ang.

One of Friday's proceedings involved the petition for bail filed by one of the accused police officers.

Loyola said she hopes the court will deny the petition, expressing concern that granting bail could weaken the prosecution's case.

"Hopefully it does not get approved because it might lead to the case weakening for us," she said.

She also said the remaining complainants have lost contact with most of the other families who were originally part of the case, amid allegations that some had accepted settlements.

Despite that, Loyola said she respects their decisions and remains determined to pursue the case together with the other remaining families.

Lawyers for the accused, including Atong Ang's counsel, Atty. Gabriel Villareal, attended the hearing.

Ang remains at large, with authorities yet to determine his whereabouts.

During the proceedings, Department of Justice state witness Elakim Patidongan testified before the court.

Patidongan was previously identified through CCTV footage using the ATM card of one of the missing sabungeros. He has claimed that he was ordered to withdraw money and had witnessed the killings of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts.