Families of missing sabungeros plead for justice

Relatives of some of the 34 missing sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts) visited the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) headquarters at Camp Crame on Friday to request updates and appeal for renewed efforts in the search for their loved ones.

Maricel Ramos, whose son is among the desaparecidos, said the families initiated the visit in the hope of meeting with CIDG officials and representatives from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Tanggap na po namin na wala na ‘yong anak namin. Kahit buto lang po ng anak namin, makita namin (We have accepted that our son is no more. We wish to see even just his bones),” Ramos said, as she urged authorities to search Taal Lake, where key witness Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alleged the victims’ remains were dumped.

Another mother, Francisca de Luna Ramos, voiced her frustration over the stalled investigation and the long wait for justice.

“Humihingi po ako ng hustisya para sa aking anak para po magkaroon ng linaw. Napakatagal na pong nawawala ang aking anak. Para po sa akin, humihingi po ako ng tulong para po makita man lang kahit buto man lang, para maiuwi sa amin,” she said.
“Bakit naman po ganon po, napakasakit po para sa akin. Para naman pong hayop na pinatay ang aking anak. Wala naman pong magulang na itataboy ang anak,” she added, breaking into tears.

CIDG acting chief Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz confirmed he would meet the families but declined to disclose the details of their discussion.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier announced that businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto would be included in the DOJ’s investigation after they were implicated by witness Julie Patidongan, also known as Totoy, who accused Ang of being the mastermind behind the abductions and linked Barretto to the case.

Ang has denied the allegations and filed a complaint against Patidongan before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office. He claimed Patidongan and another former employee tried to extort P300 million from him, threatening to falsely accuse him of involvement if he refused.

Meanwhile, Remulla said authorities are still determining how to proceed with mapping the bed of Taal Lake, following Patidongan’s claim that over 100 bodies—including those of the missing sabungeros—were dumped there.