Chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to continue the investigation into the missing sabungeros despite allegations of being paid to remain silent.
During the House Committee on Human Rights hearing on Wednesday, Abante asked the PNP regarding the on-going investigation of the missing sabungeros.
This comes after PNP Forensic Group Director, Police Brig. Gen. Danilo Bacas, reported that after nearly seven weeks of examining DNA samples from 163 human bones retrieved from Taal Lake, there were still no clear leads, as none of the samples matched those of the missing sabungeros.
Bacas explained that not all relatives of the missing sabungeros cooperated in the DNA testing process. Only 29 out of the 34 families were able to submit their DNA samples for comparison.
“Meron po kasing mga kamag-anak ng mga missing sabungeros ang napabalitang nagpabayad na,” said Bacas, implying that the DNA samples from the relatives of the 34 missing sabungeros have not yet been completed, which is why authorities cannot expect to make a perfect comparison.
Bacas also said that there are still more than 300 samples currently being handled by the forensic group. He assured that the investigation is ongoing and productive, asking for trust and patience.
However, Abante voiced his dissatisfaction, saying, “Iba yung nakalagay sa pahayagan, iba yung sinasabi ninyo, yun ang problema natin.”
“We would like to know the truth about all these, “ Abante added, further inquiring of what was really happening in the investigation, ”Merong sumingaw, ang sabi ninyo na meron nang mga binayaran na mga biktima–ng mga kamag-anak ng mga biktima. So ilan na ba ang nabayaran?”
“Sapagkat tatahimik na yan e, wala nang interes yan, nabayaran na sila e. Kaya nga sinabi ko kanina, CIDG, sinabi ko kanina may nabalita rin na sumingaw din na meron nang binayaran sa loob ng Philippine National Police tungkol dito upang tumahimik na. Nawala na e,” he added.
“In a short span of time na ito’y nasa pahayagan ng ilang araw, puk! biglang wala na e. Wala na, as in wala na. Wala ka na makikitang anumang balita e. Yun po ang concern namin dito,” the Chairman expressed.
Abante further emphasized the importance of trust, saying that it's essential for everyone to trust each other, especially since they are all working together in service. However, he also pointed out that this trust should come with the hope that money interests do not take precedence over the process.
“Tulad ng sinabi mo kanina na nabayaran na yung ibang biktima ibig sabihin pera na ang namayani diyan ‘no? Kaya pag ang pera ang namayani e tapos na ang imbestigasyon,” he said, telling that letting money lead or influence their actions means the investigation is over.
The chairman appealed to the authority for sincerity and integrity in their shared mission, to which the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director PBGen Christopher Abrahano assured that they will intend to finish the investigation.
“Hindi po ako kayang bayaran, Your Honor.” said the CIDG Director.
