MANILA — Fifteen police officers allegedly linked to the abductions and executions of sabungeros (cockfighting aficionados) have been placed on restricted duty as part of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ongoing probe into one of the country’s most disturbing unresolved disappearances.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that the involved Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel are already under internal restrictions, with duties limited to office-based assignments to prevent further harm or interference in the investigation.
“May restriction na nga sa 15 tao ng PNP na involved dito sa missing sabungero case,” said Remulla. “They carried out executions.”
“Restricted duty na sila. They have to report already to offices para doon na sila. Para hindi na sila makasakit,” he added.
Remulla also shared that he recently met with the families of the missing sabungeros, following the controversial inclusion of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto in the list of suspects.
“Ang sabi ko naman sa kanila, pumasok kami dito three years ago, the deadline was always yesterday. Laging mga problema namin, backlog lagi ang problema unang pasok pa lang namin,” he said.
“Pero hindi kami tumitigil talaga. We’re not leaving any stone unturned para ma-solve natin itong mga kaso na ito,” Remulla assured.
Earlier, accused Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as Totoy, implicated Ang as the alleged mastermind behind the abductions. Ang, however, has denied the accusations and filed a complaint against Patidongan for alleged extortion amounting to P300 million.
The case of the missing sabungeros remains one of the country’s most high-profile mysteries, with families demanding justice years after their loved ones vanished without a trace./PN
