The case of the missing sabungeros will not be ignored, as the Malacañang vowed there will be no cover-ups.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro assured the public on Friday, July 11, that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. supports the ongoing search and retrieval operations to find the remains of the missing sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts.
On Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) divers retrieved a white sack containing skeletal remains at Taal Lake. The Department of Justice (DOJ) Spokesperson Mico Clavano described the recent development as a “significant breakthrough” with the ongoing investigation.
In a press briefing, Castro was asked whether the Palace also views the development as a breakthrough in the case, including what directive will be taken following the discovery.
“Sa Pangulo po dapat po talaga ay mas alamin pa kung ito pong mga natagpuan ay talagang may kinalaman po sa nasabing kaso ng mga missing sabungeros,” Castro said in response.
“Kung ito po ay mapapatunayan na talagang konektado, ito’y nagpapakita lamang na ang Pangulo at ang kasalukuyang administrasyon at tutulong upang makamtam ang hustisiya para sa mga biktima,” she added.
“Hindi po ito pababayaan. Hindi po magkakaroon ng cover-up. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang pag iimbestiga. ‘Yan po ang nais ng Pangulo,” she continued.
On Friday, RH Jecelle Ricafort reported that the PCG’s technical divers had found more sacks underwater, hours after the search and retrieval operations began in Taal Lake. The sacks will be recovered once the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO).
Earlier this month, Castro said that the President will spare no one in the investigation of the disappearance of the missing sabungeros. This came after whistleblower Julie Patidongan, alias Totoy, linked high-profile personalities to the cockfighting enthusiasts’ disappearance.
“Ito naman po ay trabaho po ng [Department of Justice] DOJ at ng ibang law enforcement agencies po natin. Sino man, anumang katayuan sa buhay, kung sila ay personalidad na kinikilala, wala pong sisinuhin ang Pangulo at ang administrasyon,” Castro emphasized.
