Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla recounted the difficulties his office faced in pursuing the missing cockfighter case during a press conference on Thursday, January 15.

Remulla said the case immediately confronted him upon assuming office on July 1, following his June 30 arrival.

“Sumambulat kaagad yan. Anong gagawin sa missing sabungero case? So, nangangapa kami dyan. Napakahirap yan simula namin dyan. So, tyinaga namin yan,” he said.

He noted that during the transition period, the office could not secure any assistance from the police.

“Imagine, at that time, wala kang makuha sa police na kahit anong bagay na tulong. Kasi, may transition pa eh, di ba? Wala ka makuhang tulong,” Remulla added.

Reflecting on the lessons from the case, the Ombudsman emphasized persistence.

“Para itong flood control, para itong mga corruption dito, cases, dapat araw-araw lang trabahuhin mo. Don't give up on anything.”

After 43 months of effort, Remulla said, the warrant of arrest has finally been issued.

“Yan ang sinasabi natin na proseso ng batas. Minsan, mabagal yan. Pero pag talagang porsigido ka at talagang aaraw-arawin mo, makukuha mo rin yan,” he said.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 26 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna has issued an arrest warrant for businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and several others in connection with the disappearance of cockfighters.

They face charges of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

Remulla also stressed the importance of due process in such cases.

“That's what we're talking about when it comes to due process. Due process is important because you have to protect the rights of people. Constitutional rights yan eh, ‘di ba?” he concluded.