The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
More than 60 individuals linked to the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros have been placed on an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO), Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed Thursday.
The ILBO, issued by the Department of Justice, directs immigration officers to closely monitor the movements of persons of interest.
Remulla said the names included in the order came from whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who earlier tagged gaming operator Atong Ang and three others as alleged masterminds—a claim Ang has strongly denied.
“One has already left the country, who happens to be a sibling of Atong Ang,” Remulla disclosed in a press briefing.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said the case will now advance to preliminary investigation following the completion of its evaluation stage. Subpoenas will be issued as early as next week to allow the implicated individuals to formally answer the allegations.
Fadullon added that prosecutors may also seek a Preliminary Hold Departure Order from the courts to prevent any suspect from fleeing. “We will study if there is any danger that any of them will abscond,” he said.
Meanwhile, Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano reported that search operations in Taal Lake—where the victims’ remains were allegedly dumped—are ongoing but paused at times to allow diving teams to recover from ailments caused by the lake’s harsh conditions.
Since July 10, authorities have recovered 401 skeletal fragments from 17 sites in the lake. Police forensics confirmed that 355 were human bones, while 46 were non-human.