Palace wants extensive probe into missing sabungeros case

Malacañang on Wednesday said an extensive investigation into the missing sabungeros case should be done after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ''Boying'' Remulla had mentioned that those allegedly involved in this are also the same people linked to the drug war. 

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Marcos wants to bring justice to the victims. 

''Kung ganyan po ang nakikita sa mga imbestigasyon, mas lalo pa po dapat palawigin 'yung pagiimbestiga dito dahil mukhang kone-konektado ang mga nagawang krimen kung ito man po ay mapapatunayan,'' Castro said.

(If that's what's seen in the investigation, there's a need to extend the probe as it seems the crimes were connected if proven true.) 

''Di po natin sinasabi na sila ay guilty pero mas gusto po ng Pangulo, iuutos po talaga niya na dapat mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga nabiktima,'' she added. 

(We are not saying that they are guilty but the President wants to bring justice to the victims.) 

In a television interview, Remulla said that there seems to be an ''intersection'' between the drug war and the e-sabong. He said those who were linked in the drug war were allegedly involved as well in the silencing of those involved in cockfighting. 

Remulla earlier said that murder, kidnapping, as well as violation of international humanitarian law cases may be filed over the case of the sabungeros who disappeared from 2021 to 2022.

He described the killings of the missing sabungeros as a “corporate killing” as he bared that there are groups within the industry who are categorized depending on the income they receive.

Aside from Alpha Group, he said there was also a Bravo Group, a Charlie Group, and a Delta Group.

One of the accused in the abduction of some of the cockfighters, Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, has said that the victims were killed on the days they were taken. He said their bodies were tied to sandbags before they were thrown into Taal Lake.

Patidongan also named businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind in the case. He also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearances. 

Both Ang and Barreto, who have been considered as suspects as per Remulla, have denied the accusations. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News