DOJ to question grant of bail to accused in ‘sabungeros’ case

QUEST FOR JUSTICE. Families of missing ‘sabungeros’ (cockfight enthusiasts) call for justice for their loved ones during a press conference at the University Hotel of the University of the Philippines-Diliman in Quezon City Monday (July 14, 2025). Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III had directed the forensic examination of items retrieved from the Taal Lake by Philippine Coast Guard divers, to be compared with DNA samples from relatives. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday maintained its earlier position against the grant of bail to the accused implicated in the disappearance of the missing “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts) before the San Pablo, Laguna and Manila Regional Trial Courts (RTC).

“The position of the department is that notwithstanding the remedy availed of by the accused, elevating the matter to the Supreme Court, the decision that stands, as it is right now, the bail should not have been granted, therefore all the accused should be arrested,” Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said in an interview with reporters.

A number of individuals, including three policemen and whistleblower Julie Patidongan alias Totoy, have secured their temporary liberty from the courts in the two separate cases.

In Manila, the grant of bail to Patidongan and five others for their alleged involvement in the incident at the Manila Arena is being appealed by the DOJ while a motion for reconsideration will be filed by prosecutors to the recent grant of bail to the accused in the Laguna RTC.

“The department will surely file a motion for reconsideration and consider other options after that,” Fadullon said.

As for Patidongan who claimed that the bodies of the missing sabungeros were dumped in Taal Lake, Fadullon said they are still evaluating his statements.

“He is still an accused in the case, although he may be considered a whistleblower, as of this time, all the things that have been disclosed are still being subjected to validation and evaluation by enforcement authorities,” he said.

“What I know as of this time is that they are continually building up the case, trying to validate also information that is being provided, that was provided by Alias Totoy,” Fadullon added.