THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is reviewing the testimonies of new witnesses in the case of the missing “sabungeros” or cockfighting enthusiasts, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said yesterday.
Remulla said the witnesses will come out “in the next few days” and will corroborate information regarding the activities of the so-called “Alpha Group” behind the abduction and killing of the sabungeros.
“It is not only the Alpha group that is involved. There is also the Delta, Charlie and Bravo groups. They are tiered according to the income stream that they all receive out of this e-sabong industry,” he said in Filipino.
He said the groups include businessmen and government functionaries, but refused to provide additional details.
“There are businessmen and government functionaries involved, different groups. The information that we got is that there is even a Delta group existing within an income bracket,” he added.
“This s like a corporate set-up. This is corporate killing,” he also said.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting confirmed that the High Court is looking into the information relayed by Remulla on the alleged involvement of a retired judge in the illegal activities of gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, who has been tagged by suspect-turned-whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, or alias “Totoy,” as the mastermind behind the abduction and killing of the sabungeros.
Ting said the SC is treating the information seriously.
“The SC has received initial information from the DOJ regarding claims that an individual allegedly involved in the ‘sabungero’ case may be exerting influence over judges and justices. As with all reports received through various channels – including our dedicated email address – the Court treats such information with utmost seriousness and conducts an independent and thorough investigation. When warranted, appropriate actions are taken in accordance with established procedures,” she said.
She added: “It is the policy of the Court to receive and act on credible reports of corruption, including those coming from high-ranking government officials such as the Secretary of Justice.”
Remulla on Monday said that the SC has launched an investigation into a former judge, who is now allegedly a top official of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), who was identified by Patidongan as an alleged fixer for Ang.
Patidongan has also claimed that the former judge purportedly facilitated legal maneuvers to benefit Ang.
In a recent radio interview, Patidongan claimed the ex-judge holds a high-ranking post in the PCSO and enjoys continued protection from other top officials in the agency.
Remulla has also said that the scope of the SC investigation extends beyond the judge, saying that the High Court is “very sensitive about what should be done to improve our justice system. And the Supreme Court is the best ally we have for this.”
Ting urged the public to report any form of corruption in the judiciary that they knew of.
Remulla said he is confident the SC will get to the bottom of the case.
“I respect the Supreme Court and I know they will not leave any stone unturned in their quest to straighten out our justice system,” he said.
Patidongan, who is now under police protective custody, has applied to be admitted as a state witness under the Witness Protection Program.
Remulla said his application is still being reviewed.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy said it has readied three teams of technical divers to help in the retrieval of the remains of the missing sabungeros at the Taal Lake.
In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Navy spokesman Captain John Percie Alcos said, though, that the Navy has yet to receive a request from the DOJ to help in the retrieval operation.
“We are still waiting for the official request for assistance from the Department of Justice,” said Alcos.
Ask to the number of Navy technical divers that will be dispatched for the retrieval operations, Alcos said: “Normally, three teams are dispatched for technical diving operations.” A team is composed of four personnel from the Naval Special Operations Command.
Remulla said authorities are readying for the “exploratory dive” on Taal Lake, including the fishpond that Patindongan pointed to as another site where the bodies of the killed sabungeros were dumped.
“We are just waiting for some details so that we can start the exploratory dive. We have to map out everything, we have to make a schedule and we’re still waiting for some equipment that I think will be lent to us by the Japanese government,” he said. – With Victor Reyes
He said the DOJ also held a conference with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to provide a ground penetrating sonar that can be used in the search for the remains of the missing sabungeros in the lake.
“The DENR Mines and Geosciences Bureau is in possession of a ground penetrating sonar, so we will ask them to join our composite team because this is a whole-of-government approach,” he said, adding that the DOJ “will be on top of this.”
Remulla said the fishpond owner that Patidongan named is involved in subcontracting the disposition of the sabungeros to be killed.
“Buhay pa yung mga tao dinadala sa kanila at doon na pinapatay yung karamihan diyan (The sabungeros were still alive when they were brought to the fishpond. They were killed there). It’s a very ghastly scene that we can imagine. Some people are being targeted for execution and they are being turned over to some people who were under contract to do the killings,” he said. – With Victor Reyes
