Remulla: ‘Dead’ may be more precise term to describe missing sabungeros

"Dead" may be a more precise term to describe the 34 sabungeros who have been missing since 2021, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday.

Remulla issued the remark as he was discussing the possibility of applying international humanitarian law in relation to the cockfighting enthusiasts' “enforced disappearances.”

“Because of the nature of the case, you don’t have a body of the person that is missing, because the person is missing, so the presumption of death should be very strong already, at this point,” Remulla said in an ambush interview.

“In fact, I wouldn’t even want to call them anymore missing sabungeros, but probably dead sabungeros. That’s a—might be a  more precise term to describe these people,” he later added.

The PNP initially reported that the missing cockfighting enthusiasts disappeared after participating in a cockfight in Sta. Cruz on January 13.

In early December, sabungero Michael Bautista was identified by his wife and his brother as the person in a video being handcuffed by two alleged policemen outside a cockfighting arena in Santa Cruz, Laguna.

Earlier, the Department of Justice said it would file charges against three members of the Philippine National Police for the kidnapping of e-sabong agent Ricardo Lasco at his home in San Pablo City in August 2021.

Remulla said the probability of the sabungeros' resurfacing is “not very high.”

“A very sad thing but it’s true. The probability of them not appearing is very high. They all disappeared under the same circumstances. All the cases are analogous to each other,” he said.

Remulla said he is set to hold another dialogue with the families of the sabungeros on January 11, 2023.

“Second Wednesday of January is my promise to them. I will abide by my promise because they’re looking for that. We will abide by that promise. Unless something comes up earlier than later,” he said.

The PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo previously said there is still no credible lead yet on the missing sabungeros.

Remulla also said that authorities see a concerted effort by a group behind the disappearances. — BM, GMA Integrated News