JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said human ribs were retrieved by technical divers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Taal Lake during the continuing search and recovery operations for missing “sabungeros” or cockfighting enthusiasts.
“Sa Taal Lake may nahanap today na human remains (Human remains were recovered today [Thursday] in Taal Lake) and it was pointed to us by our sources that were also identified by alias Totoy. Ano ito, ribs ng tao, ‘yung tadyang (These are human ribs),” Remulla told reporters.
Alias Totoy refers to suspect-turned-whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who has told authorities that the sabungeros abducted between 2021 and 2022 were killed and their bodies dumped in Taal Lake.
Remulla said the human remains were inside two sacks.
“Dalawang sako na may human remains at buhangin na sa tingin namin ay pabigat (They were inside two sacks with sand that we think were used to keep them submerged),” he said.
The recovery came on the seventh day of the underwater search and retrieval operations being conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which started on Friday last week.
Prior to yesterday’s recovery, five sacks believed to contain human remains have been retrieved by the PCG divers. The bones have been submitted for forensic examination.
Remulla said the two sacks that were retrieved yesterday were “recovered in the specific quadrant of the search pointed to us as the site where people are being disposed of.”
The PCG, which has deployed 49 divers and a remotely operated underwater vehicle, has divided the search area into quadrants to make the operation more focused.
Remulla did not give additional details.
He has previously said the Taal Lake operation may continue up to six months considering the vastness of the lake.
Remulla reiterated the government will pursue the investigation of the sabungeros case until justice is done.
“Relax lang kayo. Tatlong taon na naming tinatrabaho ito and we’re not about to give up. Hindi kami titigil hangga’t di natatapos ang kasong ito (Relax. We have been working on this case for the past three years and we’re not about to give up. We will not stop until we have solved this case),” he said.
He said authorities are relying not only on Patidongan’s disclosures, but other sources who have come out.
“Mabigat. Mabigat talaga (The revelations are serious),” he added.
ONLINE BETTING STATIONS
In a related development, retired police general Jonnel Estomo yesterday admitted that business tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang gave him two online “sabong” or cockfighting betting stations a few years ago when e-sabong was still legal.
Patidongan has tagged Ang as the supposed mastermind in the kidnapping and killing of the sabungeros, who were allegedly ordered abducted after they were caught cheating in e-sabong and fixing cockfighting games.
He also accused Estomo of being involved in the kidnapping and killing of the sabungeros, alleging that that the former NCRPO chief was part of the Alpha Group.
Estomo said he met Ang once when he was still the director of the Bicol police regional office, but could not recall the specific date of the meeting.
Estomo served as Bicol police director from April 2021 to August 2022. A year later, he was named the director of the National Capital Region Police Office.
“I only met Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang just once,” he said, adding that he had no communication with the businessman after the meeting.
Estomo said he initiated the meeting to thank Ang for helping Bicolanos through a foundation, implying it had nothing to do with the kidnapping and killing of the sabungeros.
He said that during the meeting, Ang supposedly sought his assistance for the expansion of online sabong operations in Bicol.
“Actually aaamin ko nabigyan niya ako ng ano, kaya nagkaroon ako ng dalawang betting stations sa General Santos City. Yan po totoo. (Actually, I admit that he gave me (betting stations), that’s the reason why I had two betting stations in General Santos city. That’s the truth,” he said.
Estomo said his meeting with Ang occurred when online sabong was still legal. Former president Rodrigo Duterte ordered a ban on online sabong in May 2022 due to its ill effects to society.
Estomo reiterated he was neither involved in the case of the missing sabungeros nor is he a member of the Alpha Group which was in charge of the online sabong operations.
He noted that the kidnapping of the sabungeros occurred in 2021 when he was still the Bicol police director, pointing out that the incidents occurred in the Calabarzon.
“It’s impossible (that I am involved) because during that time, I was the regional director of Bicol region. And if you will notice, the policemen involved in the missing sabungeros were assigned in Calabarzon,” he said.
Estomo said the allegations of Patidongan damaged his character and reputation, which he said he tried to protect during his 37-year career as a police officer.
He said he does not personally know Patidongan, that’s why he cannot understand why he would link him to the case.
“To me, he is not credible,” said Estomo, who expressed confidence he will be cleared if any charges will be filed against him arising from Patidongan’s allegations. – With Victor Reyes
