DOJ finds second witness in missing ‘sabungeros’ case
The government has a new witness in the case of the missing “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts) who could strengthen the testimony of whistleblower Julie “Totoy” Patidongan, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Tuesday.
The civilian witness, whose identity has been withheld, not only has direct knowledge of the disappearances but also has “hard evidence” that supports the testimonial accounts, Remulla told reporters in a chance interview at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“There is real evidence here. Aside from just the story, it comes with its own actual supporting proof,” he said, adding that they will reveal the witness’ identity soon.
The development was revealed on the same day that 12 active police officers were charged with administrative offenses in the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in connection with the sabungeros’ abduction.
At least 34 cockfight enthusiasts were reported missing between April 2021 and January 2022 in Metro Manila and different parts of Luzon.
In television interviews, Patidongan—who is also facing kidnapping charges related to the case—alleged that the sabungeros were abducted, strangled to death, and dumped in Taal Lake by a group of policemen supposedly acting on the orders of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang.
Ang has denied the accusations and has filed several complaints against Patidongan.
Probable cause
Patidongan’s claims prompted a government-led search operation in Taal Lake, with technical divers from the Philippine Coast Guard deployed to recover possible human remains. The search, which has yielded fragments of suspected human bones, has been halted following a series of storms that hit Luzon this month.
Edman Pares, staff service director of the Napolcom Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (Imis), said their division found probable cause to formally charge the police officers in the agency’s Legal Affairs Service.
He said Police Col. Jacinto Rodriguez Malinao Jr. was charged with grave misconduct, grave neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
The following officers, Pares said, were charged with grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer: Police Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa, Maj. Mark Philip Simborio Almedilla, Executive Master Sgt. Aaron Ezrah Lahagit Cabillan, Chief Master Sgt. Arturo Opalla dela Cruz Jr., Staff Master Sgt. Joey Natanauan Encarnacion, Staff Master Sgt. Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, Staff Master Sgt. Anderson Orozco Abary, Staff Sgt. Alfredo Uy Andes, Staff Sgt. Edmon Hernandez Muñoz, Staff Sgt. Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio and Cpl. Angel Joseph Ferro Martin.
According to Pares, the complainants—Patidongan and 18 family members of the abducted sabungeros—are being represented by the Napolcom Imis.
“Our primary basis, our evidence to consider whether there is probable cause, was the affidavit filed by Alias Totoy, Julie Patidongan,” Pares said in a press conference at the agency’s headquarters.
“We also have other documents, which we will be attaching to our formal complaint,” Pares said without disclosing the nature of these documents.
The Napolcom’s Legal Affairs Service will assign a hearing officer to the case and will send out summons to the 12 police officers before elevating the case to the Napolcom en banc for disposition.
Rafael Calinisan, Napolcom vice chair and executive officer, said they were aiming to resolve the case within 60 days.
Pares clarified that the charges only pertained to the administrative case as the criminal case was being overseen by the DOJ.
Police officer relieved
Also on Tuesday, Remulla thanked Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III—who was at the DOJ for a meeting—for relieving a service commander involved in the investigation over suspicious behavior.
“I appealed to General Torre to relieve a certain service commander, and it happened. So now, our path toward solving this problem is once again clear,” Remulla said.
The secretary did not disclose the officer’s identity and the specific act that prompted the relief, but noted that the service commander was not among the policemen facing administrative complaints at Napolcom.
“But he did something I didn’t like. You know, trust is extremely important in this kind of process … because without trust, how will people speak up?” Remulla added.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Marcos assured the public that the government was working to resolve the case of missing sabungeros, noting that all those involved, whether civilians or government officials, would be held accountable.
