DOJ sees 'breakthrough' in missing 'sabungeros' case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) sees a “breakthrough” in the case of the 34 missing sabungeros, Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday.

In a report by Saleema Refran on “24 Oras”, Remulla said he is set to meet with potential witnesses who “would put to rest many of the doubts” on the case.

“We have one breakthrough coming in the next 10 days,” he told reporters.
“I have a meeting set for next week to discuss with potential witnesses...it would put to rest many of the doubts that we have,” he said.

But while there are developments, the Justice chief clarified that identifying the mastermind behind the victims’ sudden disappearance “is not as easy."

“The identification of a mastermind is not as easy...because it has to be proven by the same iota of evidence needed especially to convict somebody,” he added.

Remulla earlier met with the families of the missing sabungeros where he also explained the implications of using the term “dead sabungeros” for their case.

“Sa civil code meron tayong na pitong taong nawawala pero hindi ho pwedeng i-apply yan sa criminal cases...kasi pag sinabi mong missing parang hilaw ang pagtimpla ng kaso na pwedeng i-file,” said Remulla.

The victims’ kin, for their part, said they have to “accept the truth” on the disappearance of their loved ones.

“Kailangan tanggapin ‘yung katotohanan kahit alam na naming niloloko namin ‘yung sarili namin. Pero kailangan nating mag-move on dahil ito na nga eh, ifa-file na ‘yung kaso,” Butch Inonog, father of the victims, said.

“Alam mo mabigyan lang ng magandang resulta itong kaso namin para nang nabuhay ‘yung mga mahal namin sa buhay na hinahanap,” he added.

The case of John Claude Inonog, his son, is among the six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention cases the DOJ is set to file before the Manila Regional Trial Court against six security personnel at the Manila Arena on Tuesday.

Earlier, the DOJ lodged kidnapping charges against three cops behind the disappearance of victim Ricardo Lasco but the victim’s mother expressed worry about the development of the case.

“Nagkaroon ng dismissal yung mga kapulisan eh baka makawala. Ano ang mangyayari kung wala na sila,” Maria Carmelita Lasco said.

Meanwhile, the families of victims Neri Anticristo, Kiel Daniel Bohol, Glen Germar, Mark Joseph Ignacio, Romaldo Diano, and Eric Legaspi who have been missing since May 2021 were still crying for justice for their sudden disappearance.

They expressed support for the continued suspension of e-sabong operations and even appealed for its permanent ban.

“Napakahirap po ng nararamdaman namin na gusto naming lumaban pero nandyan yung takot. nandyan yung pag-aalala namin bawat galaw namin. tapos pag-aalala namin sa mahal sa buhay. Hirap na po kami,” Maria Teresita Japag, wife of one of the missing sabungero, said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News