The supposed screening for GMA’s documentary film, Lost Sabungeros, on August 8 and 9 has been canceled due to security reasons, Cinemalaya announced on Sunday.

Lost Sabungeros was supposed to premiere at the film festival, debuting as the network’s first investigative documentary film. The piece looks closely into the disappearances of over 30 sabungeros who were abducted in different incidents, since 2021.

During its filming, reports of unidentified individuals observing the team and case studies were brought up. Moreover, families of the missing sabungeros also expressed caution while filming, as they feared the potential risk of being targeted for abduction. Thus, making it one of the “most dangerous and courageous investigative documentaries” that GMA Public Affairs has to put out.

However, with Cinemalaya’s recent announcement, the premiere was scrapped from the original lineup. Kip Oebanda’s Balota replaced its slot.

GMA Public Affairs Senior AVP, Lee Joseph Castel took his dismay online, stating that they pursued the investigation to expose the long-standing issues within the country.

“Dahil bilang mga mamamahayag, at kahit bilang mga ordinaryong tao, hindi natin dapat tinatanggap na bigla na lang may mga misteryosong naglalaho (As a journalist, and as an ordinary person, we must not accept that people just mysteriously disappear), Castel wrote.

"Sa sabong ng mga makapangyarihan, biktima pa rin ang mga walang boses na patuloy na nanghihingi ng katarungan (In the cockfight of the rich, the voiceless remain as victims who continuously seek for justice)," he concluded.

Lost Sabungeros was supposed to debut on August 8 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay Cinema 2. It was directed by GMA Public Affairs’ homegrown executive producer and director, Bryan Kristoffer Brazil.

The supposed highlight of the documentary was the three whistleblowers who testified against the crimes committed by those who abducted the missing sabungeros.