15 cops under restricted custody for executing sabungeros: DOJ

PNP officers on standby during the inauguration and blessing of the new Cubao Station in Quezon City on Thursday. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA (UPDATED) — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed 15 police officers are now under restrictive custody for their involvement in the missing sabungeros case.

“Under restriction, restricted duty na sila, they have to report to offices para hindi na sila makasakit,” Remulla said.

Asked about the involvement of the police officers, Remulla said the 15 played a major role in killing the cockfight enthusiasts.

“They carried out the executions,” the justice secretary said.

Remulla made the statements to the media following his meeting with the families at the DOJ.

“Hindi namin titigilan ito, talagang kailangan ng hustisya eh, alam mo ang kaluluwa natin bilang mga Pilipino nakataya rito, dito hindi tayo pumapayag na pera-pera lang ang naging Panginoon ng Pilipino, hindi dapat ganoon,” he said.

'Sana may hustisya para sa aming mahihirap': missing sabungeros’ kin find hope for justice after 4 years

COPS ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED ALREADY IDENTIFIED BY NAPOLCOM

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) revealed it has already identified police officers who may be involved in the disappearance of more than 100 cockfighting enthusiasts, locally known as sabungeros.

NAPOLCOM Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Atty. Rafael Vicente Calinisan confirmed the investigation is now highly targeted and that they have specific persons of interest.

“Actually, targeted na ang investigation namin. So meron kaming idea kung sino na ’yung mga involved,” said Calinisan.

While the commission awaits the formal affidavit of a key witness identified only as “Alias Totoy,” Calinisan emphasized that the investigation will not be stalled by the absence of the signed document.

“Kahit walang affidavit, pwede pa rin namang tumuloy eh. Pero iba pa rin ’yung may complainant, iba pa rin ’yung affidavit. ‘Ika nga sa terminolohiya niyo, may talking head na tayo eh. So, ’yung taong ito, ’tong si Alyas Totoy eh kumakanta na, nagtututuro na ng mga tao. Ah, mukhang insider ’tong taong ito. So, importante talaga ’yung testimonya niya kasi siya ’yung key in sa grupo eh,” Calinisan said.

“Pero kahit hindi natin makuha ’yung affidavit na ‘yan, assuming na hindi, eh meron naman tayong makikitaan na iba pang ebidensya. I’m hoping na lumutang din ’yung mga ah, iba pang nagpaparamdam na lulutang,” he added.

Once formally identified, administrative cases may be filed against the implicated police officers. As part of due process, they will be given the chance to defend themselves.

But if their involvement is proven, NAPOLCOM said it will not hesitate to impose disciplinary actions, including dismissal from service.

“Ah, so kung makuha natin ’yun, makuha natin ’yung ibang ebidensya, at dumagdag pa si Alyas Totoy napakasaya noon, it will be justice to the Filipino people,” Calinisan said.

“Sana nga magtuloy-tuloy na ’yung progreso nung imbestigasyon ng Napolcom eh sana lumutang dito si Totoy at sana ma-file na ‘yung kaso at marinig na natin. It is not, we’re not condemning it right away. We want to hear out the side also of the other parties, ’yung mga allegedly involved na mga pulis. So kung sila ay inosente, then so be it. Pero kung sila ay may kinalaman dito, hindi tayo matatakot mag-impose ng disiplinary measures o kaya i-dismiss sila sa serbisyo,” he added.

Calinisan also assured the families of the missing sabungeros that the formal investigation, once initiated, will be concluded within two months.

“Pero we will get justice. There will be closure as far as the uh ’yung mga kamag-anak ng sabungero is concerned. Kasi malalaman na natin dito kaagad kung ano ang magiging hatol ng National Police Commission.”

In an interview with ABS-CBN, alias Totoy further alleged that a police colonel was involved in the kidnapping and killing of some sabungeros — a detail NAPOLCOM neither confirmed nor denied.

“Sabihin na lang natin na mula sa baba hanggang sa mataas na ranggo, Jeff, kung sinasabi ni Alyas Totoy na may colonel then so be it,” Calinisan said.

“Pero I will not confirm nor deny first the existence of these people or the ranks. Opo. Pero masyadong broad talagang polarizing yung ranggo,” he adds.

“At alam naman natin na hindi naman gagalaw ang mga maliliit na pulis kung walang opisyal din eh. So expect mo na yun na may mga opisyal diyan,” Calinisan further said.

“Expect mo na rin na since more or less 4 years pa lang yung kaganapan na nawawala yung mga sabungero eh malamang at sa malamang may mga aktibo pa dito sa serbisyo,” Calinisan said.

NAPOLCOM is actively coordinating with PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the Department of Justice to ensure a full and credible resolution of the case.

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