Beyond the 15 Cops: New Developments in Missing Sabungeros Investigation
MISSING SABUNGEROS – Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III revealed that additional individuals have been identified in connection with the mysterious disappearance of 34 sabungeros.
Torre revealed that aside from the 15 police officers initially linked to the case of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting aficionados), several other individuals have also been identified during the ongoing investigation.
During a press briefing on Monday, Torre emphasized that the probe is expanding, and authorities are not limiting the investigation to just the 15 PNP personnel already implicated.
“There are other personalities who have been identified as the investigation goes on. We have information on their whereabouts, and we are monitoring them. If necessary, we will place them under surveillance while waiting for the issuance of an arrest warrant so that once the warrant is issued, we can immediately apprehend them,” he stated.
Torre confirmed that all 15 police officers involved are currently under restrictive custody at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
He further detailed that among the 15 officers, 11 are still in active service, one has retired, and three had already been dismissed from the force before their names surfaced in relation to the case. The most senior among them holds the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Most of these individuals were previously assigned to support units, while others served in various regional offices and police area commands, according to Torre.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had earlier revealed the current status of the 15 officers last week.
In a significant development last month, a whistleblower known as “Totoy,” later identified as Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, alleged that the 34 missing sabungeros were killed and buried in Taal Lake in Batangas.
Patidongan, one of six security guards accused of abducting the victims, also claimed that the group used tie wire to strangle the men before disposing of their bodies in the lake.
Reports indicate that the disappearance of the sabungeros occurred back in 2021.
READ ALSO: Erwin Tulfo Reacts To His Alleged Connection To “Missing Sabungeros” Witness