Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday, June 23, said that corroborative evidence has been found that could support the statements of a suspect in the case of 34 missing “sabungeros” or cockfight enthusiasts.

Remulla, however, did not disclose the evidence to support the statement of the suspect.

He must be referring to the suspect named “Totoy” who talked to a television network and revealed, among other things, that all 34 “sabungeros” who have been missing since 2021 are already dead. “Totoy” also assured he will soon reveal who ordered the killings.

“Totoy,” a security guard of the Manila Arena, expressed willingness to turn state witness. He had said those killed were accused of cheating in cockfighting games.

He also claimed that some of victims were buried in Taal lake in Batangas.

“Nakausap ko na s’ya bago pa dumating ang eleksyon at na-process na namin ang information (I was able to speak to him before the elections and we have processed the information),” Remulla told journalists in an interview.

“Meron kaming corroborative evidence na kasama (We have corroborative evidence included),” he said.

When asked if the suspect would be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP), Remulla said that he had already made an arrangement with Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III.

Remulla assured the families of the “sabungeros’ that the government has not given up in the investigation of the case.

“We have not given up on anything or anybody. Ganun talaga. Mabagal minsan ang kaso. Ito po ay proseso. Kinakailangan po may ebidensya na makakalap at ginagawa ho namin ang lahat (That’s what it is. There are times that the case can be slow moving. This is the process. Evidence is needed to be gathered and we are doing everything that we can),” he assured.