Kin of missing sabungeros call out Remulla over ‘dead’ remark

The kin of the missing 34 cockfighting enthusiasts on Friday called out Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla over his remark that “dead” may be the more precise term to describe the sabungeros who disappeared in 2021.

In Saleema Refran’s report on “24 Oras”, Butch Inonog, father of victim John Claude Inonog, said they were hurt by Remulla’s choice of words.

“Masyado niyo hong dinudurog 'yung damdamin namin. Hindi ho namin ine-entertain yung term na 'patay' or 'dead'. Dun lamang ho tayo sa 'missing' pakiusap lang ho Secretary Remulla,” he said.

(He hurt our feelings. We would not entertain the term ‘dead’, only ‘missing’.)

On Monday, the DOJ chief said the probability of the sabungeros' resurfacing was “not very high.” He, however, explained he only issued the statement to avoid confusion among cases that would be filed.

“We just have to presume that to have happened already. The probability of them coming out is very near, very small. Let's face the truth. Hopefully, mali ako. I want to be wrong but I just want to be real about it,” said Remulla.

Earlier, the DOJ said it would file kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges against six individuals in connection with the disappearance of six cockfighting enthusiasts in January.

A resolution promulgated on December 22 said the DOJ panel of prosecutors found probable cause to indict farm manager Julie Patidongan, Gleer Codilla, Mark Carlo Zabala, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion, and Roberto Matillano Jr. on the kidnapping of Inonog, James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, and Rowel Gomez on January 13.

The respondents, for their part, denied participation in the disappearance of the sabungeros. They also argued that the witnesses had no personal knowledge of the alleged crime.

However, the DOJ said the prosecution panel gave weight to the testimonies of witnesses.

The victims’ relatives were relieved over this development.

Nevertheless, they longed to be reunited with their kin.

“Masakit talaga sa isang magulang na mawalan ka ng mahal sa buhay. Ngayon lumabas na itong resolution na ito, eh medyo nabunutan kami nang kaunting tinik sa aming pakiramdam,” Ernesto Bacay, father of siblings James and Marlon, said. — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News