Justice Sec links drug war killings to e-sabong

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla suggested a potential link between drug war killings and e-sabong (online cockfighting betting) during a press briefing on Monday, July 14.

Remulla cited an arrest in Meycauayan where suspects were linked to both illegal drugs and e-sabong, indicating possible intersections between the two criminal activities.

The Philippine Coast Guard retrieved six bones from Taal Lake as part of the investigation into the disappearance of 34 sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts), with whistleblower Julie Patidongan claiming that victims were dumped there after being executed.

Remulla emphasized that authorities are investigating locations used for both e-sabong activities and drug war operations, and exhuming unclaimed bodies buried by police in 2020 to establish clearer links between the cases.

He also revealed that whistleblower Patidongan remains an accused in the case of missing cockfighting enthusiasts, with his statements undergoing validation and evaluation.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla assured there would be no 'sacred cows' when it comes to filing charges against public officials implicated in the disappearances.