Emil Sumangil admits receiving death threats after report on missing sabungeros 

Emil Sumangil opened up on the death threats he received after his explosive report on the case of the 34 missing sabungeros.

On “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda” Wednesday, the award-winning Kapuso journalist said he has been receiving death threats “almost every day,” adding the death threats sometimes go overboard. 

“Foul, Tito Boy eh. ‘Yung message eh kung mahina-hina ‘yung naturalesa mo, hindi ka makakakain ng almusal,” Emil said.

He says they come in various forms: messages, calls, "mayroong pasabi na gagamitin pa yung kaibigan mo," he said.  

Emil recalled receiving a message asking for a delivery address for flowers. "Sabi ko, anong bulaklak? Bulaklak ng patay dahil malapit na ang burol mo. Mga ganon," he shared.

While he admits to feeling fear upon getting these death threats, Emil says it won’t stop him from reporting the truth.

“Mayroong takot sa totoo lang. Hindi nila ako kayang pigilan dito sa ginagawa ko. Ididiretso ko ito kung ano ang sinimulan ko. Gusto kong magkaroon ng closure at makita ‘yung resulta ng paghihirap [ko],” he said.

Earlier this year, Emil released an exclusive report in “24 Oras” on the missing sabungeros. Following his expose, Emil’s wife, Michelle, asked for prayers for her husband.

On Fast Talk, Emil said his wife isn't as confident as his kids.

“Ang kids OK lang. ‘Yung dalawang bagets ko walang problema basta kinukwentuhan ko lang sila every night kapag kami ay naghahapunan, bibigyan ko lang sila ng update OK na sa kanila ‘yon,” the Kapuso journalist said.

“Si misis lang ang hindi medyo kampante dahil unang-una hindi naman siya media practitioner. Hindi siya sanay sa ganitong klaseng buhay,” he said, adding the GMA Network provided security for his family entire family.

“Ang ating network ay kaagad na nagbigay ng seguridad para sa kaligtasan ko at sa kaligtasan ng aking pamilya. Inatupag agad nila ang aking seguridad pati ng aking pamilya. So ‘yun palang napakalaking bagay na sa akin,” he shared.

With all the death threats surrounding Emil, will the “24 Oras” main anchor die for a story? Emil said he doesn’t think of it anymore. 

“”Hindi ko na iniisip sa totoo lang. Hindi naman ako ilalagay ng Diyos dito kung mayroong barrier o may limitasyon. Basta titirahin ko nang titirahin. Diyos na ang bahala kung saan niya ako dadalhin,” he added.

Since his expose, Emil has continued to report on the story. His whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan has linked businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto, among others, to the disappearance of the 34 sabungeros. — LA, GMA Integrated News