Organized group targeted over missing sabungeros
‘Not yet at that level. But it’s a concerted effort. There seems to be a group behind it. Probers are following along that line.’
There is a probability that an organized group is behind the case of 34 missing sabungeros.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla made the remark shortly after he met with relatives of the missing cockfighting aficionados Friday in his office at the Department of Justice.
Remulla said there seems to be a “concerted effort” in the case of the missing people.
At least 34 missing sabungeros were reported to have been abducted since 2020, allegedly over allegation of game-fixing on online sabong.
“Not yet at that level. But it’s a concerted effort. There seems to be a group behind it. Probers are following along that line,” Remulla said.
Remulla hinted of the possible involvement of a well-entrenched gambling syndicate behind the disappearance.
The Justice chief, however, refused to speculate about the existence of a mastermind behind the disappearances.
“I do not want to speculate. That’s not my province. That’s not within the bounds of my job. We do not speculate on my job. We only find out based on evidence,” he said.
On Friday, Remulla met with relatives of the missing cockfighting aficionados at the DoJ main office in Manila.
Representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, and National Bureau of Investigation were also in attendance.
They agreed during the meeting to meet again in January so an update can be given.