The Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested a whistleblower from the case of 34 missing “sabungeros” or cockfighters to testify as the agency pursues its case buildup.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that alias “Totoy” was among those charged in connection with the lost cockfighters, and confirmed he had known and spoken to the suspect even before the midterm elections in May.

“Actually kilala ko na ‘yung testigong sinasabi mo. Tagal ko nang kilala yan. Nakausap ko na siya, bago pa mag-eleksyon, nakausap ko na. Kaya I have a very good idea, yung sinasabi niya,” Remulla told reporters.

(Actually, I already know that witness you’re talking about. I’ve known him for a long time. I’ve talked to him, even before the elections. That’s why I’m familiar with what he’s saying.)

“And na-vet na namin—siyempre the proof of the pudding is in the eating—titingnan natin kung kaya nating i-recover ‘yung kahit na ilang human remains, o kaya mga buto-buto sa Taal Lake. Makita natin talaga ‘yung sinasabi niya,” Remulla revealed.

(And we have vetted—of course, the proof of the pudding is in the eating—we will see if we can recover even a few human remains, or maybe bones from the Taal Lake. To really see what he’s talking about.)

While Totoy has confessed many damning things—one, that there are actually over 100 victims of the crime—Remulla said the agency is not relying on his testimony alone, as it possesses certain documents relevant to the case.

“May mga binanggit na siya sa’min (na pangalan). Isa-isa naming ilalatag ‘yan. Sabi ko nga, case buildup ‘yan; hindi naman basta-bastang paglabas ng testigo, ito na ‘yung korte,” the justice chief said.

(He already mentioned some names to us. We will lay them out, one by one. As I said, this is a case buildup; just because a witness has come forward, the court will not begin.)

Remulla assured that the DOJ will be speaking with the families of the victims.