Security assured for suspect who said ‘sabungeros’ dumped at Taal Lake

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

Fajardo said the suspect, identified only as “Totoy”, must execute an affidavit as part of the legal procedures for the case build-up. (File Photo: Philippine News Agency/Facebook)

MANILA – Security will be provided to the suspect who claimed that the remains of 34 missing “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts) were dumped at Taal Lake, Batangas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.

“Ang PNP ay handa para mag-provide ng police assistance, including yung pagbigay ng security dito sa lumutang na bagong witness (The PNP is ready to provide police assistance, including security to this new witness who just surfaced),” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in a phone interview with reporters in Camp Crame on Thursday.

The suspect, one of the six security guards at the Manila Arena, admitted in an interview with GMA News on Wednesday night that the “sabungeros” are dead and were allegedly strangled with wire before being thrown in the lake.

Fajardo said the suspect, identified only as “Totoy”, must execute an affidavit as part of the legal procedures for the case build-up.

“Ang ating chief PNP ay willing na siya po mismo ang pumunta doon at alamin kung saan ba ‘yong eksaktong sinasabi niya kasi kung sinasabi niya na na-pinpoint po niya na sa Taal Lake po itong sinasabing pinaglibingan o pinagdalhan nitong mga missing sabungero, it will be a challenge because alam natin, napakalalim niyan at kailangan natin ng mga divers siguro para kuhanin ‘yan at dadaan po sa proseso ‘yan (Our PNP chief is willing to go in Taal Lake to know where because if he pinpointed it was in Taal Lake, it would be a challenge because the lake is deep and we might need divers and it will go through the process),” she said.

Fajardo said the PNP would welcome it if the TV network and the suspect would coordinate with the police to help resolve the case, assuring that the police are ready to provide security.

“Sana pagtiwalaan po nila ‘yong kanilang pambansang pulisya dahil tayo naman po ang nagsampa talaga ng mga kaso pong ito (I hope they will trust the national police because were the one who filed this case),” Fajardo said, adding the PNP will cooperate with the Department of Justice.