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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Focus on forensic evidence needed in missing 'sabungeros' case--Diokno

Focus on forensic evidence needed in missing 'sabungeros' case--Diokno

Published Jul 16, 2025 12:43 pm  |  Updated Jul 16, 2025 01:19 pm

At A Glance

  • Human rights lawyer and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno on Wednesday, July 16, urged the government to focus on forensic evidence in investigating the case of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts).
Human rights lawyer and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno on Wednesday, July 16, urged the government to focus on forensic evidence in investigating the case of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts).
Diokno says testimonies from supposed witnesses are usually recanted. As such, there's a need to focus on forensic evidence, which cannot be changed.
"It's about time to become more scientific in our approach in investigating  [criminal cases]," 
"Isa sa mga isinusulong ko kahit noon pa, bilang isang human rights defender, ay magkaroon tayo ng isang independent forensic laboratory na wala sa chain of command ng PNP (Philippine National Police) (One of the things I have been pushing, even before as human rights defender, is to have an independent forensic laboratory that is not covered by the chain of command of the PNP)," he said in a press conference.
"Nandyan 'yung mga academe, para sure tayo na kung maglalabas sila ng findings, conclusions, we can be sure that they are based on science (Members of the academe are there. So we'll be sure that if there will be findings or conclusions, they are based on science)," he added.
The government recently reopened its investigation into the case of missing sabungeros following testimonies from accused-turned-whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan.
Authorities acted on information he provided, wherein he said that the remains of the missing personalities were dumped into Taal Lake—a move that led to the recovery of bones believed to be of human.
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