Missing sabungeros kin hopeful despite DOJ declaration they are ‘possibly dead’

The relatives of the missing sabungeros were dismayed over Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla's remark that their missing loved ones were possibly dead, Saleema Refran reported Tuesday on "24 Oras."

Some family members of the missing sabungeros are still hoping that they will see their loved ones alive.

"Umaasa po ako na buhay pa sila kung saan man nila tinago pakawalan na po nila," Carmen Malac, mother of one of the missing sabungeros, said.

Remulla had said "dead sabungeros" was a much more accurate term since these individuals were missing for more than one year.

"The probability of them coming out is not very high. Very sad thing but it is true. The probability of them not appearing is really high," said the DOJ Secretary.

The DOJ said they were still studying if the missing sabungeros were covered by the international law statute on enforced disappearances.

"It is what it is and it's maybe easier to prove than anything else," Remulla said

Some family members appealed for justice for their missing loved ones.

"Papaano, ganoon na lang? Siyempre, maghahanap din kami ng katarungan kung saan sila dinala yan, kung saan nila binaon, pinakain kung ano man," Lita Baccay, mother of one of the missing sabungeros, said.

"Kung ganoon ang interpretaston niya, wala naman tayong magagawa. Pero siyempre, parati kong pinanghahawakan yunng salitang'missing' and still hoping na may marerecover kami," Butch Inonog, father of missing rental driver John Inonog, said.

The Department of Justice said it would file charges against three members of the Philippine National Police for the kidnapping of e-sabong agent Ricardo Lasco at his home in San Pablo City in August 2021.

Some families are hoping that their cases will push through.

"Yung mga bangkay nila hindi na namin nakikita kung iyon ay totoo wala na sila kahit sana yung bangkay nila ibigay naman nila," Alyzza Depano, sister of missing sabungero, said.

"Kung sino man ang may pakana nito at yung mga nagbigay ng utos at itong mga pulis na kakasuhan ay magsalita na sila. Ano ba talaga ang nangyari sa aming kapatid?" Charlene Lasco, sister of Ricardo Lasco said.

Remulla said he is set to hold another dialogue with the families of the sabungeros on January 11, 2023. — Richa Allyssa Noriega/DVM, GMA Integrated News