Missing sabungeros already dead, accused tells kin

The missing sabungeros or cockfight watchers who disappeared four years ago are already dead, one of the accused in the kidnapping case told the loved ones of some of the victims.

According to Emil Sumangil's exclusive report on "24 Oras," the accused has come forward to testify on all that he knows about what happened to the missing victims.

“Mga nanay, kamag-anak, handa po ako na makipag-tulungan sa inyo, para makamit ang hustisya,” alias Totoy told some of the missing sabungeros’ families. 

(Mothers, loved ones of the victims, I’m ready to help you get justice.)

Asked if the missing sabungeros were still alive, the accused said, "Ah, wala po ako masagot diyan." 

"Ang akin lang maibigay ko lang ang hustisya ng inyong pamilya. Pero kung ako ang tatanungin, mukhang malabo na buhay pa sila,” Totoy said. 

(I cannot answer that. I can only help your families get justice. But if you ask me, it seems unlikely that they are still alive.)

“Pero alam niyo po kung saan sila dinala? Kahit mga buto lang?” asked Carmen Malaca, mother of one of the missing sabungeros.

(But do you know where they were brought, even if just their bones?)

“Sa ngayon, hindi na natin makikita ang buto, pero alam ko kung sino ang nasa likod nito," Totoy said. 

(Right now, we can no longer find their bones, but I know who’s behind this.)

After Totoy’s response, Malaca bawled while family members of the other missing sabungeros were in tears. 

Due to the recent revelation, the families of the missing sabungero regained hope that the case would finally be clarified.

In an exclusive interview with GMA Integrated News, Totoy narrated some events surrounding the missing sabungeros. 

“Paano mabubuhay yan eh nakabaon na 'yan du'n sa Taal Lake. Lahat yan. Kung huhukayin 'yun, mga buto buto, paano natin makilala ang mga 'yun? 'Di lang missing sabungero ang mga 'yun, may iba pang tinatapon du'n, pati drug lord,” Totoy said. 

(How can they be alive if they’re all in Taal Lake? If we dig it up, how will we be able to identify them? The people buried there are not just the missing sabungeros but also a drug lord.)

He added that the missing sabungeros were “killed softly” with a tie wire used to strangle them.

Those who were caught cheating in the cockpit were rounded up and turned over to another group, which Totoy, for now, refused to identify.

He narrated that the missing sabungeros were tied with plastic and carried to a van.

Totoy said there were almost 100 cockfight workers killed, not just the 34 sabungeros.

“Nagtaka ako, bakit ang bilis? Halimbawa walo? Ang bilis. Sabi ko, Baka naman pinakawalan niyo yan, yari tayo kay boss, sabi ko sa kanila. Hindi may video kami. Sinendan ako ng video. Duon nakita kung paano,” Totoy said. 

(I was wondering why they kill so fast. I thought they were released, but they showed me a video of how they killed them.)

These were among the details included in his affidavit that would be submitted to authorities. He will also reveal the mastermind. 

Witness protection program

According to Saleema Refran’s “24 Oras” report, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will look into the testimony of the accused, who is now willing to reveal what he knows about what befell the victims.

“Titingnan ko lang kung ang kanyang sinasabi at yung sinasabi ng ibang testigo ay kapareho sa mga nakarating sa ating tanggapan,” Remulla said.

(I will check if his testimony is the same as the other testimonies that we received in our office.)

The DOJ said it would check how Totoy could contribute to the case.

“Pwede naman siyang pumunta rito at bibigyan namin siya ng pansin at binibuild up pa namin ang kaso pero malapit na. Malapit na,” Remulla said.

(We can still accommodate him since we’re still building up the case. We’re almost done.)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Totoy’s actions are a welcome development.

The PNP and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also expressed willingness to help ensure his safety.

“Maganda yan at sige pakinggan natin sya. I assure him na bibigyan namin sya ng proteksyon akong bahala sa kanya. Wag syang matakot. Maganda yan, welcome yan,” NBI director Jaime Santiago said.

(It’s good. We will listen to him. I assure him that we will give him protection. He should not be scared.) –GMA Integrated News