At least 15 policemen, including an official with a rank of Police Lieutenant Colonel, were placed under restrictive custody at Camp Crame in Quezon City amid the ongoing investigation into the case of missing cockfighters, a top official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed on Monday, July 7.

PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the 15 policemen were assigned in various units, including those in the regions, adding that 14 of them are in active service while another one is due for retirement.

“We have placed several personnel under restrictive custody pending the investigation on the missing sabungeros, that we can confirm,” said Torre.

But Torre was quick to clarify that the police investigation will not focus on the alleged involvement of the 15 policemen they already identified, explaining that more policemen would be probed depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

“We will not stop these 15 policemen, we will leave no stones unturned. There may be some personalities that may be identified along the investigation and what is important for us is to give justice to the victims,” said Torre.

“These incidents are grisly, not acceptable by any standards and that’s why we have firm resolve to solve this,” he added.

The case of the missing cockfighters (sabungeros) cropped up anew after a self-confessed ally of Atong Ang claimed that the latter had something to do with the disappearance and killings over anomalies in cockfighting operations.

Ang earlier charged Dondong Patidongan as he denied involvement in the case of the missing cockfighters which the latter claimed to have reached 100.

Patidongan also claimed that there are several policemen who are under the payroll of Ang and played key roles in the disappearance of the cockfighters.

With the policemen under restrictive custody, Torre said they are now working with the National Police Commission in the conduct of the investigation.

“We have partnered with Napolcom for the in-depth investigation of this case to ensure transparency and impartiality and to ensure the ends of justice will be achieved,” said Torre.

He said the policemen are being investigated both for criminal and administrative cases.

Not only in Taal Lake

Aside from Taal Lake where some of the missing sabungeros were ditched, Torre said they have been receiving reports that there are other modes of disposal made against the cockfighters.

“Based on our information, Taal is not the only place of disposal. We are looking into other places as a disposal area of the missing victims,” said Torre.

As to the calls to send divers to Taal Lake, Torre said they are looking for as many ways that will help the police in the investigation, including the retrieval of the remains of the missing sabungeros.

Silently working

Long before Patidongan publicly accused Ang of involvement in the case, Torre said they already met him after he provided information in the conduct of the probe.

That was when he was still the head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and this was the reason, according to Torre, why they already submitted documents to the Department of Justice.

Torre admitted that he was shocked by the revelation of the whistleblower when they first met as he described the killing as grisly and not acceptable by any standards.

“What is important now is to give justice to the victims and to cleanse the organization of these kinds of personnel,” said Torre.