DOJ: Case buildup on missing sabungeros 'not personality driven'

The ongoing investigation and eventual filling of cases in relation to the disappearances of sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts is not aimed at pinning charges on a specific individual or group, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"We are on the collation stage of these pieces of evidence and we are in the process now of trying to strengthen now the case or cases that may be filed in court," DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

This week, sacks of bones were recovered from Taal Lake following claims by whistleblower and co-accused Julie "Dondon" Patidongan that the bodies of the missing sabungeros were dumped in its waters on the day they were abducted.  

The recovered bones will be tested to determine whether or not these are human remains, and if the DNA matches with the relatives of the missing individuals.

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.

Patidongan had tagged businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind and linked actress Gretchen Barretto in the disappearances. Both have denied the allegations. 

Malacañang had vowed that the Marcos administration will not spare anyone in the pursuit of justice for the missing sabungeros and their families.

"This is not personality driven. This investigation is not at all personality driven or directed at any particular group of persons," Vasquez said.

"Ito ay ebidensya lamang, trabaho lamang ang hinahabol namin at ang sinisigurado natin ay kailangan lang under case buildup rule ay 'yung mataas na antas ng ebidensya, quality case, evidence ready at science ang sumusupporta kasi kailangan natin itaas na 'yung antas ngayon ng ating criminal prosecution and investigation… hindi na lang probable case kundi prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction para wala na 'yung makasuhan ka ng karaka-karaka lamang, 'yung harassment suit at saka 'yung weaponization of penal laws at 'yung frivolous cases wala na 'yun," he said.

(Our duty is to work based on evidence. Under the case buildup rule, we should have a quality case with high-quality evidence that is ready and supported by science. The quality of criminal prosecution should be raised... Not just a probable case but there should be prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction so that cases would not be filed immediately. Harassment suits, weaponization of penal laws, and frivolous cases will be avoided.)

The Justice official also said a formal complaint has yet to be lodged in relation to the latest developments in the missing sabungeros case.

"That's exactly kasi kapag gumawa ka ng formal complaint nakalatag na lahat ng storya mo... Sa ngayon kasi kinakakalap pa lang natin. Madali ang manghusga, madali 'yung magturo, napakahirap 'yung magbigay ng pruweba lalo na proof beyond reasonable doubt ang pinag-uusapan dito," he said.

(That's exactly what should be done. When you make a formal complaint, your whole story should be laid out... At this point, we are still doing legwork. It's easy to make accusations, but it's difficult to show proof, especially if we're talking about proof beyond reasonable doubt.)

Meanwhile, Ang's camp had filed a complaint affidavit against Patidongan with the Office of the Prosecutor in Mandaluyong City. The businessman said he was being extorted P300 million by Patidongan.

The complaint was for conspiracy to commit attempted robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, grave threats, grave coercion, slander, and incriminating against innocent persons.

Vasquez said Ang's complaint against Patidongan would not affect the DOJ's investigation and the ongoing case buildup on the missing sabungeros.

Malacañang has vowed that there would be no cover-up in the case of the missing cockfight enthusiasts. — VDV, GMA Integrated News