'No sacred cows' in ongoing probe into missing sabungeros - DILG

MANILA — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla assured the public on Wednesday that there will be “no sacred cows” in the ongoing probe into the missing "sabungeros" (cockfighting enthusiasts).

“No sacred cows. So kung meron pong, paano po kung may matitisod na local chief executive? No sacred cows. Kung kahit mayor, kahit governor, kahit senator, basta kasama sila doon sa alpha group na yan, anyone involved in the alpha group will be charged kung tama ang case build up,” said Remulla in a chance interview in Camp Crame. 

“DOJ (Department of Justice) is on the process of doing a case buildup, magkasama kami ng DOJ to come up with a rational conclusion to the missing sabungeros story,” he added.

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Remulla adds that all of the 12 active cops that whistleblower Julie Patidongan mentioned in his complaint affidavit are accounted for, except for 3 non-active personnel. 

“Yes, accounted for sila, pero 15 yun lahat-lahat. 'Yung 3 ata non-active personnel. Fifteen 'yung suspected na private armed group na gumagalaw para sa missing sabungeros. 'Yung 12 accounted for na,” said Remulla. 

Meanwhile, the PNP Forensic Group confirmed that one of the six bone pieces found during the search in Taal Lake for the “missing sabungeros” may be of a human being. This development, Remulla said, is tying up with testimonies from Patidongan.

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“Well, it brings us closer to the conclusion of this story. It all ties up how sinabi ni Alyas Totoy. Kasi may video tayo ng abduction, may video tayo ng force confession. Ngayon kung mahanap 'yung katawan, pwedeng i-tie up 'yan kasi conspiracy, grand conspiracy among sa kanila,”  Remulla said.