Missing sabungeros' kin file complaint vs. cops over 'bribery, obstruction'

Families and relatives of the missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros on Wednesday filed complaints with the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) against cops over alleged bribery and obstruction of justice.

"Sa case po namin sa Santa Cruz, Laguna ay, unti-unti na pong hindi uma-attend 'yung mga kasama namin na family. Iilan na lang po kaming uma-attend at nagtataka po kami ano na po nangyari," one of the complainants said in a press briefing.

(In our case in Santa Cruz, Laguna, some families are no longer attending. Only a few of us are attending and we are wondering what happened.)

"Sa halagang P40,000 a month, pumayag po sila na hindi um-attend ng hearing. Personally, hindi po worth it yung P40,000 para lang sa buhay ng mga missing sabungero," she added.

(For the price of P40,000 a month, they agreed not to attend the hearing. Personally, P40,000 is not worth it in exchange for the lives of the missing sabungeros.)

Some complainants said they were offered monthly financial assistance of up to P40,000 in exchange for no longer attending court hearings.

One of the complainants said on April 16, a lawyer reached out to her and offered her money.

The complainants were also allegedly brought to Camp Crame custodial facility by individuals, including police personnel identified as "Nadame Malang" and a lawyer, where they allegedly met detained police officers linked to the case.

According to the complainant, the accused were trying to convince them that they had nothing to do with the disappearance of the cockfighting enthusiasts.

A warden identified as "Paniebe" allegedly allowed them to enter the custodial facility and told them not to disclose the visit, according to one of the complainants.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Highway Patrol Group (HPG) spokesperson Police Lieutenant Nadame Malang as well as Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño about the matter, but they have yet to provide a statement as of posting time. — VDV, GMA News