Photo courtesy: PCG
AT least three bodies are being exhumed in Batangas as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of e-sabong (online cockfighting) participants, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced Wednesday.
The exhumations target locations potentially linked to both e-sabong and drug war activities. Remulla explained that the bodies, initially buried by police in 2020 due to a lack of claimants, are being exhumed to identify the individuals and establish any potential connections to the missing sabungeros. The establishment of a DNA bank is also underway to aid in identifying remains.
While the primary focus remains on the missing sabungeros, Remulla acknowledged the overlap between the e-sabong and drug war investigations. He stated that the same individuals or groups may have been involved in both, citing potential links to “enforced disappearances.”
This intersection necessitates a broader approach to the investigation, encompassing both cases. Remulla declined to comment on Vice President Sara Duterte’s reaction to this alleged link, stating, “I have no comment on that. I have no response to that.”
The exhumations follow last week’s search of Taal Lake, prompted by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan’s claim that over 100 sabungeros were abducted, murdered, and disposed of in the lake.
The ongoing investigation, encompassing the exhumations and the lake search, underscores the complexities of the case and the potential for broader implications beyond the initial focus on the missing e-sabong participants. The investigation’s expansion into potential drug war connections highlights the significant resources being dedicated to uncovering the truth behind these disappearances.
