NBI ready to lend forensic expertise in missing sabungero case

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is ready to lend its forensic expertise in the case of the cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros who went missing from 2021 to 2022, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said Monday.

“Yes, I am volunteering. Kung kailangan nila ng forensic expertise namin, I am very willing na i-extend ang aming forensic expertise,” Santiago said in an ambush interview.

(Yes, I am volunteering. If they need our forensic expertise, I am very willing to extend our forensic expertise.)

Julie "Dondon" Patidongan or alias Totoy, one of the accused in the case, previously said that the bodies of the 34 missing sabungeros were buried in Taal Lake.

Due to this, the Philippine government has asked Japan for technical assistance.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology also said that the agency is willing to lend its expertise and equipment in the search for the sabungeros.

Last week, Patidongan also named businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind in the case. He also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearance.

The two have denied the allegations against them, with Ang saying that Patidongan threatened to link him to the disappearance if he refused to pay P300 million while Barretto said she received a similar threat. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News