Probable cause found vs. cops in missing ‘sabungeros’ case

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

Committed to transparency, accountability, and justice, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) announced the development in the case of missing sabungeros, today, July 29, 2025 at the DILG-NAPOLCOM Center, NAPOLCOM Building, Quezon City. (Photo: NAPOLCOM/Facebook)

MANILA – The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has found probable cause to file administrative cases against 12 police officers tagged by whistleblower Julie “Totoy” Patidongan in the disappearance of “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts).

In a press conference at the Napolcom headquarters in Quezon City on Tuesday, Staff Service Director Edman Pares of the Napolcom’s Inspection Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) said their division filed with the commission’s Legal Affairs Service charges of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer against the 12 officers.

Additionally, one of the 12 officers was slapped with grave neglect of duty. The charges stemmed from a complaint earlier filed with the commission by Patidongan and relatives of the missing sabungeros.

The respondents, currently under restrictive police custody, include police officers with the ranks of Police Colonel, Police Lieutenant Colonel and Police Major, and nine other Police Non-Commissioned Officers, eight of them are police sergeants.

Pares said the affidavit provided by Patidongan was strong enough to warrant the pursuit of the administrative cases.

“In the affidavit, there were statements that are factual in relation to his participation when it comes to the allegations which served as the basis for the filing of the case,” said Pares.

“We also have other documents in which we will be attaching our formal complaint,” he added.

Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said they will wait for the response of the 12 officers charged as part of due process.

“They will be given time to file their answers after which there will be hearings,” said Calinisan.

The complaint is administrative in nature, which means, if found guilty, penalties may include suspension, demotion, or dismissal from the service with forfeiture of all benefits.

“As such, this is now a summary dismissal case filed with the Napolcom. hearings will then be conducted by summary hearing officers, and this case will be soon elevated to the Napolcom en banc for its disposition,” said Calinisan.

The Napolcom head, meanwhile, hailed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for expressing strong support to the ongoing investigation into the case in the latter’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

“The President’s statement during the SONA strengthens our resolve. It shows that the administration is fully behind our quest for justice. Mas lalo kaming ginanahan. Hindi kami matatakot. Kahit sino pa ang backer nyan, kahit ano pa ang ranggo nyan, tatamaan ang dapat tamaan (We are even more motivated. We are not afraid. No one will be spared, no matter who the backer is, no matter what his rank is),” said Calinisan, adding that nobody can bribe them.

He said the investigation does not end with the 12 charged officers, with more individuals expected to be implicated.

“Meron pang mga involved na ating iimbestigahan. So kung nararapat na ito ay magprogress sa panibagong kaso then so be it (We are investigating other people. So if this leads to a new case, so be it,” he added.

In his SONA, the President vowed justice for the missing “sabungeros” and to hunt down the masterminds and those involved, whether civilians or officials. “Kahit malakas, mabigat, o mayaman, hindi sila mangingibabaw sa batas (No matter how influential, powerful, or wealthy, they will not be above the law),” said Marcos.