PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants a deeper and more thorough investigation into the case of 34 missing “sabungeros” or cockfighting enthusiasts amid reports of the supposed involvement of influential and powerful people in the incident.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said Marcos wants the masterminds identified and prosecuted.
‘’Ipagpatuloy po ang pag-iimbestiga, ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga para malaman kung sino ba talaga ang sangkot dito at mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot (The investigations would continue, a deeper investigation, to determine who are involved and for those responsible to be held accountable),” Castro said in a briefing in Malacañang when asked about the President’s views on the issue.
She said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is evaluating the testimonies of four possible witnesses to determine if their statements could be used and if they can qualify as state witnesses.
She likewise said investigators are looking for more evidence, including pictures and videos, that they can use to build up the case.
On reports that those behind the abduction of the sabungeros have influence even over members of the judiciary, Castro said the Palace continues to believe in the integrity and independence of the courts.
‘’Naniniwala po tayo sa integridad ng ating Korte at ito’y ma-sosolusyunan na ayon sa batas at ayon sa rule of law (We believe in the integrity of our courts and that this [case] would be solved based on laws and according to the rule of law),’’ she said.
One of the accused in the case, identified as “alias Totoy,” has disclosed that 20 police officers were allegedly involved in the kidnapping of the sabungeros.
He has also said that the mastermind is an influential individual who supposedly has ties within the judiciary.
Alias Totoy has also told investigators that the victims, who disappeared between 2021 and 2022, were allegedly kidnapped due to their involvement in cockfighting games fixing or cheating.
He likewise said the victims have been killed and their bodies dumped at Taal Lake.
The DOJ has said that it is assessing and verifying alias Totoy’s disclosures.
