15 PNP officials in sabungeros' slay under 'restricted duty'

Apart from businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto, 15 police officers are under investigation for their alleged involvement in the killing of at least 34 cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros, Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said yesterday.

- ELIZABETH MARCELO, Emmanuel Tupas, Helen Flores

In a chance interview with reporters esterday, Remulla said the 15 police officers are now under "restricted duty" after being tagged as the ones who "carried out the executions" of the sabungeros.

"They supposedly carried out the executions. They are now under restricted duty. They have to report already to designated offices to restrict them there. In order to prevent them from committing any harm," Remulla said.

Asked if charges may be filed against the police officers anytime soon, Remulla said: "That's where we're going." Remulla had earlier told reporters that based on the Department of Justice (DOJ)'s ongoing investigation, the police officers, state officials and people in the Visayas are also supposedly involved in the case, saying that there seemed to be a "corporate set-up" in the operation of the online cockfighting or e-sabong.

Whistle-blower Julie Patidongan, alias Totoy, had earlier tagged Ang as the mastermind behind the disappearance and murder of 108 cockfight enthusiasts.

Totoy added that Barretto also had knowledge and involvement in the sabungeros' disappearance, as he encouraged the latter to come forward and help him shed light on the case.

Remulla said both Ang and Barretto are now considered as "suspects" in the missing sabungeros' case.

"They will be included, because they were named, so we have to include them as suspects," Remulla said.

Yesterday, Remulla had a dialogue with the families of the missing sabungeros where he updated them about the ongoing investigation and case build-up.

"I told them that we will not let go of this case. We will continue working hard in order to uncover the truth behind this case," Remulla said in Filipino.