Witness in missing sabungeros' case backs out

“Arvie,” the lone witness in the alleged abduction of six sabungeros has backed out of the case, according to a "24 Oras" report by Saleema Refran on Thursday.

Aside from the affidavit of recantation, Arvie has also reportedly filed a motion to dismiss the ongoing cases for kidnapping and serious illegal detention against several suspects.

Arvie did not provide an explanation for his decision.

“Ang sinasabi niya lang dun sa kanyang salaysay ay hindi na ako interesado at ayoko nang ipagpatuloy itong kaso na ito. Hindi niya sinasabing inuurong niya yung kanyang naunang binigay na salaysay o binabawi niya,” Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon said.

“Ang finile nila is a joint motion to dismiss, kasabay nito 'yung mga abugado ng mga akusado. Pinagsabay nila ‘yun sa paniniwala siguro na kapag kinatigan ng husgado ‘yung sinasabing affidavit of recantation, ito’y sapat na basehan para ang kaso ay totally mawala na,” he added.

Meanwhile, the prosecution assured that the case will continue.

“Naglabas ng order ang husgado na dinideny nya yung joint motion to dismiss. Kung merong agam-agam ang kahit na sinong biktima o sinumang testigo na may pananakot o banta sa buhay nila, pwede nilang ilapit sa amin at pwede nating tugunan ng kaukulang seguridad,” Fadullon said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also warned against those who will attempt to jeopardize the case.

“If these witnesses will obstruct justice, we will go after them. Hindi pa rin tayo papayag kasi magbabago ako ng statement sa bandang dulo. dyan na nakasalalay yung ibang kaso , hindi naman pupwede yun,” Remulla said.

In an earlier report, Arvie was said to have expressed disinterest in pursuing and testifying for the case after hearing that some families retracted their charges.

“Arvie” testified to seeing the abduction of the 6 missing sabungeros who attended a derby at the Manila Area on January 13. He was able to identify six  security personnel as main suspects in the case.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News