Missing sabungeros' kin hold prayer rally at DOJ ahead of Undas 2025

Ahead of the observance of Undas, the families of missing sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts) on Thursday held a prayer rally at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and called for the resolution of their murder complaint against businessman Atong Ang and others.

"Naniniwala po ako na sa darating na mga araw ay makakamit na namin ang hustisyang aming hinahanap. At naniniwala rin po ako na magiging patas at walang halong kahit ano ang magiging hatol sa resolusyon na hinihintay namin," Eloisa Bohol, the mother of Kiel Daniel Bohol said.

(I believe that in the coming days, we will finally attain justice that we have been seeking. And I also believe that the decision in the resolution we are waiting for will be fair and impartial.)

Last week, the complaint filed against Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto, former National Capital Region Police Office chief retired Police General Jonnel Estomo, and others was submitted for resolution.

The complaint was for kidnapping with serious illegal detention and multiple murder, among others, over the disappearance of 34 sabungeros in seven separate incidents from 2021 to 2022.

The respondents have denied the allegations against them.

The families brought posters showing their missing relatives. They also hung a tarpaulin banner outside the DOJ showing Ang behind bars, which they later pelted with eggs and tomatoes.

Two of them also wore masks that featured the faces of Ang and Barretto.

GMA News Online has asked Ang's camp for comment and will publish their response once available.

Meanwhile, Bohol said she believes that the government will not be biased toward the rich.

"Ipapakita po ng ating pamahalaan na walang kahit anong ano—, patas ang magiging hatol at wala pong magiging biased kung mayaman po sila," she said.

(Our government must show that the judgment will be impartial and will not be biased even if they are wealthy.)

"At ang mga katulad naming mahihirap ay magkakaroon po ulit ng tiwala sa pamahalaan na mabibigyan po kami ng hustisya. Ang hustisya po ay hindi po para sa mayaman lamang. Para din po sa aming mahihirap," she added.

(And people like us, the poor, will once again have faith in the government—that we will be given justice. Justice is not only for the rich. It is also for us, the poor.)

Meanwhile, Carmelita Lasco, the mother of Ricardo Lasco, maintained that they will continue to pursue justice and that they will not be swayed by money.

"Kami, hindi kami madadala sa pera. Hindi kami magpapabayad. Kahit anong mangyari," she said.

(We will not be swayed by money. We will not accept bribes, no matter what happens.)

She later said that until they see their families' bodies, they still have hope.

As of October 12, some 887 human bones have been retrieved from Taal Lake amid the ongoing search for the missing sabungeros.

The search began after whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan claimed that more than 100 sabungeros were abducted, killed, and then dumped in the waters of the Taal Lake. — VDV, GMA Integrated News