More than half of the 12 police officers implicated in the disappearance of several ‘missing sabungeros’ since 2021 had prior administrative cases, the Philippine National Police–Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) confirmed Tuesday, July 29.
In a report by Edniel Parrosa in DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan program, PNP-IAS Inspector General Atty. Dodo Dulay said that these cases were filed even before the controversy surrounding the missing sabungeros erupted.
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“Lagpas kalahati sa kanila ay may record na ng administrative cases,” Dulay said, though he clarified that the agency has yet to establish any direct link between these earlier cases and issues related to extrajudicial killings or the government’s previous war on drugs.
The 12 officers, who were previously charged by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), were implicated by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan. Patidongan alleged that the group served as the muscle group behind the disappearance of at least 34 cockfight enthusiasts.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has raised the possibility that the missing sabungeros could be connected to killings from the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign. Investigations into the cases are ongoing, as the families of the missing sabungeros continue to seek justice and accountability.
NAPOLCOM also expressed their gratitude to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s support and showed their commitment in solving the case.
"Kami ay sobrang na-inspire sa kaniyang mensahe na mananagot ag dapat manago. Kami ay nabuhayan at walang takot naming iimbestigahn ang kaso nitong missing sabungeros," he said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police announced on Thursday the arrest of two siblings of Julie Patidongan, who have been described as “the missing link” in the case.
