DOJ certifies complaints in 'missing sabungeros' case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has certified sufficient for preliminary investigation complaints filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in relation to the 'missing sabungeros' case.

Charges under these complaints include violations of RA 10353 on enforced disappearance, kidnapping, murder, corruption of public officials, obstruction of justice, graft, and the New Philippine Passport Act.

The Philippine Coast Guard reported recovering 401 pieces of human skeletal remains from 17 locations in Taal Lake; however, none of the 163 samples subjected to DNA testing matched those obtained from relatives of missing sabungeros.

National Police Commission Vice Chairperson Rafael Calinisan suggested a possible link between policemen implicated in the 'missing sabungeros' case and the war on drugs, while Rep. Leila de Lima called for speeding up whistleblower Julie Patidongan's application to enter the witness protection program.

Rep. Jesus Manuel Suntay questioned authorities about arrests made from detecting e-sabong websites following the ban, noting that identifying individuals behind these crimes is challenging due to anonymity tools and hosting platforms outside of the Philippines.