No coverup: Palace vows justice in search for ‘lost sabungeros’

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed concerned agencies to thoroughly investigate the development, calling it a potentially significant lead in the case.

“It is really important to further investigate if these things that were found are truly related to the said case of the missing sabungeros,” Castro said during a press briefing.

She emphasized that if forensic results confirm a connection, the government will ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families.

“This only shows that the President and the current administration will help to achieve justice for the victims. And this will not be neglected, there will be no coverup,” she said.

Castro added that the investigation will continue without interference, in line with President Marcos’ commitment to accountability and rule of law.

The case of the missing sabungeros has gripped national attention since 2021, with over two dozen men vanishing under suspicious circumstances reportedly tied to online cockfighting operations.

Despite several leads and multiple Senate hearings, no conclusive resolution has been reached.

Authorities have yet to confirm whether the newly discovered remains belong to any of the missing individuals.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other members of the search team resumed their diving operations in Taal Lake on Friday in search of human remains as part of efforts to shed light on the “missing sabungeros” case.

This development was triggered by the recent revelations of suspect-turned-whistleblower Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan, who disclosed that the perpetrators behind the crime dumped the bodies of the victims in the lake. — Charles Dantes