The Department of Justice (DoJ) will continue prosecuting criminal cases involving missing cockfighters despite some victims’ families halting their participation in court proceedings, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said Wednesday.

Fadullon clarified that criminal prosecutions represent offenses against the state, meaning the absence or withdrawal of private complainants does not automatically compromise the cases.

“The public prosecution does not have to have a complainant to stand on its own,” Fadullon said, citing that family testimony primarily addresses civil damages rather than criminal liability unless a relative directly witnessed the abduction.

Multiple cases originally filed in Santa Cruz, San Pablo and Lipa have prospered following their transfer to Quezon City courts, with charges including kidnapping and kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

Prosecutors are currently presenting evidence to oppose bail applications filed by the accused.

Of the families previously assisting the prosecution, only one relative, identified as a Mrs. Lasco, remains available to testify after three family members completed their testimonies.

Fadullon declined to speculate on reports that some families stopped participating due to out-of-court financial settlements.

“There is no price for the life of any individual. No amount can pay for that,” he said, adding that prosecutors will submit all gathered evidence for judicial evaluation.

Addressing a separate complaint alleging obstruction of justice involving individuals linked to the legal team of businessman Atong Ang, Fadullon stated the matter remains pending resolution and has no direct bearing on the active kidnapping trials.

He added that law enforcement agencies, led by the Philippine National Police, continue tracking remaining suspects who remain at large.