NAPOLCOM: 18 cops allegedly linked to missing sabungeros implicated in complaint

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on Tuesday said 18 cops allegedly involved in the case of missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) were included in the complaint filed by whistleblower and one of the accused Julie “Dondon” Patidongan (alias Totoy) as well as the victims’ families. 

NAPOLCOM vice chairperson and executive officer Atty. Rafael Vicente Calinisan said 13 of them are active while five were already dismissed.

“It appears doon sa pinasa na complaint-affidavit ni alyas Totoy, 18 ‘yung pangalan na nandito sa aking mesa. Halo-halo ‘yan. Some of which are in the active service, some of which are dismissed,” he said in an interview on Unang Balita.

(It appears in the complaint affidavit filed by alias Totoy, there are 18 names on my desk. They are a mix. Some of which are in the active service, some of which are dismissed.)

“So talagang hinihimay natin. Pero it appears parang labingtatlo 'yung active, parang lima 'yung dismissed sa listahan na binigay ni alyas Totoy,” he added.

(So we are really reviewing it. But it appears like 13 are active and five are dismissed in the list given by alias Totoy.)

Calinisan refused to answer how deep is the alleged involvement of these cops in the disappearances as the NAPOLCOM is now serving as a judge following the filing of the complaint.

According to him, the NAPOLCOM will issue orders or summons to the implicated police officers to explain their side.

“Kailangan natin munang silipin 'yung sagot ng mga respondent. So we are sending orders/summons to all of these respondents na sana sagutin nila 'yung kasong ifinile ni alyas Totoy dito sa NAPOLCOM,” he said.

(We first need to take a look at the respondents' answers. So we are sending orders/summons to all of these respondents, hoping they will answer the case filed by alias Totoy here at NAPOLCOM.)

On Monday, Patidongan and the kin of the missing sabungeros went to NAPOLCOM office to file the complaint-affidavit against more cops who were allegedly involved in the disappearances.

Patidongan said the implicated cops were involved in the abduction and transport of the sabungeros from farms to Taal Lake. 

A total of 15 cops were placed under restrictive custody at Camp Crame, Quezon City for their alleged involvement in the abduction of the sabungeros as claimed by Patidongan.

The concerned police officers were assigned in support and regional units as well as in area police commands. One of them is due for retirement while three have been dismissed.

As early as January 2023, seven cops allegedly involved in the crime were already dismissed from the service.

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 claimed that the victims were already buried in Taal Lake.

He named businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind in the case and also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearances. Both have denied the allegations. —KG, GMA Integrated News