JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said the alleged mastermind behind the disappearance of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros) is an “powerful” individual who can allegedly influence even the magistrates of the Supreme Court (SC).
“Basta yung sinasabi ng mastermind, in his own words, kahit daw Supreme Court kaya niyang kausapin (The mastermind, in his [suspect-turned-witness] own words, he can even influence the Supreme Court),” Remulla told reporters in a chance interview.
He declined to reveal the identity of the alleged mastermind due to the ongoing probe and case build-up.
He added the alleged mastermind supposedly wields financial power within the e-sabong or online cockfighting industry.
“That’s one thing that we might have to talk to the Chief Justice about kasi mabigat ang pera ng e-sabong, hindi ito basta basta kalaban (Money wields much influence in the e-sabong industry is. We are going against someone who is very influential),” he said.
Remulla said he has requested an audience with Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo to discuss the matter.
“We will tell him what are the things hindering our way through this kasi nga ambigat ng kalaban sa dami ng pera (because we are up against someone who is very wealthy),” he said.
Sought for comment, SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said she could not yet issue a statement on Remulla’s claim.
“We are unable to comment at this time, as we have yet to meet with the Secretary of Justice regarding this matter,” Ting said.
Alias “Totoy,” the suspect-turned-witness, has also disclosed the alleged involvement of government officials and police officers in the abduction and the alleged killing of the 34 missing sabungeros.
Remulla said initial information from alias Totoy showed that most of the officials allegedly involved are from Luzon and some are from the Visayas.
Alias Totoy has also disclosed that the 34 sabungeros, who have been missing since 2021, have been killed and their bodies thrown at Taal Lake.
Remulla said alias Totoy has corroborated his claims with evidence.
Alias Totoy is one of the six security guards detailed at the Manila Arena where the missing sabungeros were last seen.
He said decided to come clean about what he knew due to threats to his family’s safety.
