The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is urging concerned government agencies to immediately conduct search operations for the missing sabungeros who were allegedly thrown into Taal Lake in Batangas.
In an interview on Damdaming Bayan on Friday, CHR Commissioner Atty. Beda Epres said that after learning about the testimony of Julie Patidongan, also known as "Totoy," they immediately coordinated with CHR Region IV-A and the Investigation Office at the CHR Central Office.
The CHR regional and central teams then went to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Batangas and the Philippine Coast Guard in the area.
"Ang sadya po namin doon ay 'yung mayroon na bang directive sa kanila kung puwede nang mag-conduct ng search and retrieval operation, pero according to them last Saturday, wala pang order sa Staff Management," Epres said.
The commissioner stressed the need for immediate action, saying those involved in the crime might act to cover it up.
"Ang sa amin lang po sana, kung puwede e madaliin 'yung pag-conduct ng search operation although alam naman po namin kung gaano kalaki 'yung lugar na ito at hindi pinpointed 'yung exact location," he said.
"Ang worry lang kasi baka may mga lumutang na pangalan na involved, may mauna nang sumisid doon at kunin 'yung mga dapat makuha ng mga investigating bodies," he added.
Epres also shared that the CHR had already conducted an investigation into the missing sabungeros in 2021 but was forced to halt it due to lack of evidence. He said they welcome the testimony of alias Totoy to reopen the case.
The CHR has also written to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla to request a copy of Patidongan's sworn affidavit.
"Monday, sumulat na rin po kami kay DOJ Secretary Remulla na kung puwede mabigyan kami ng copy ng salaysay o kaya affidavit na ito Alyas Totoy. I-furnish din po kami, para 'yun din ang aming magiging basis para ma-reopen 'yung cases," Epres said.
Epres emphasized that the CHR will focus on the possible human rights violations involved, considering the assumption that the victims may already be dead.
Regarding the alleged previous crimes committed by Patidongan, Epres said the CHR is open to those who may want to file complaints so that they can be properly examined.
Earlier, Ang's legal counsel, Atty. Lorna Kapunan, said Patidongan should not be considered the "least guilty" among the accused due to his alleged criminal record, which includes cases of sexual harassment, frustrated murder, robbery with physical injury, and grave threat.
Ang's camp filed a complaint before the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, lodging charges against Patidongan and Alan Bantiles, also known as "Brown," for attempted robbery with violence and intimidation, grave threat, grave coercion, incriminating innocent persons, and slander. They stated that this was done to protect their group.
In the alleged involvement of policemen in disposing of the cockfighting enthusiasts, Epres said the Commission will recommend filing charges at the DOJ should sufficient evidence be uncovered in their fact-finding investigation.
"In the course of our investigation, kung ma-establish po talaga na mayroon talagang participation 'yung members ng Philippine National Police, puwede po namin i-recommend na mag-file ng administrative case naman sa kanila either with NAPOLCOM or Ombudsman," he said.
As of this writing, the CHR's investigation report remains archived, and they are awaiting a copy of Patidongan's sworn affidavit.
