PNP supports probe on cops in missing sabungeros case

The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed support Monday on the investigation into cops allegedly linked to the disappearances of cockfighting enthusiasts.

At a press briefing, PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said the police organization's Internal Affairs Service (IAS) will work with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) for the possible disciplinary actions against the involved cops.

“For the disciplinary side naman ng mga na-implicate na PNP personnel natin, Napolcom had already issued a statement, we will defer to the statement of Atty. Ralph Calinisan and we will support ano man ang kaniyang direksyon na gagawin sa imbestigasyon na 'to,” Torre said.

(For the disciplinary side of our implicated PNP personnel, Napolcom had already issued a statement, we will defer to the statement of Atty. Ralph Calinisan and we will support whatever direction he takes in this investigation.)

“[IAS] and Napolcom will be working together dahil ang IAS naman part ng disciplinary machinery under the Napolcom,” he added.

(IAS and Napolcom will be working together because the IAS is part of the disciplinary machinery under the Napolcom.)

Earlier, Napolcom vice chairperson and executive officer Atty. Rafael Calinisan said the commission has started its own probe into the case amid claims that some police officers are allegedly involved in their disappearances of the sabungeros.

This came after alias Totoy, one of the accused, said that 20 police officers were involved in the kidnapping case of the cockfight enthusiasts. Totoy said that he will name the involved persons in his affidavit.

For the criminal aspect of the case, Torre vowed that the PNP will cooperate in the investigation of the Department of Justice (DOJ)

A total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts have been reported missing from 2021 to 2022.

According to the police, the missing personalities were kidnapped allegedly due to match fixing or cheating in the cockfighting games.

Totoy claims that the victims were already buried in Taal Lake. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News