NATIONAL Police Commission (Napolcom) Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said Wednesday, July 9, 2025, that they have been receiving “feelers” from different sources that could significantly help the ongoing investigation into the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros).
In an interview with reporters, Calinisan said various sources in possession of “in-depth” information related to the case have reached out to him over the past few days.
He said they appear to have direct involvement in the case.
“Malupit ‘yong sustansya niya (feelers),” said Calinisan.
(The substance of those feelers is intense.)
He said their accounts are crucial to the investigation and may corroborate the earlier testimony of accused-turned-whistleblower Julie Patidongan, alias Totoy.
The official said he is hoping to secure sworn affidavits from the sources.
“Sa totoo lang, sana mag-materialize ‘yung kanilang paglapit, and hopefully ‘yung kanilang paglapit na ito ay makapag-produce ng affidavit at maging susi rin sa ating imbestigasyon,” said Calinisan.
("Honestly, I hope their approach materializes, and hopefully, this move results in affidavits that will also be key to our investigation.")
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police Chief General Nicolas Torre III said it would be a welcome development if the 15 police officers implicated in the disappearance of the sabungeros turn state witnesses and reveal everything they know.
“Of course, that’s one of the directions that we can take. If some of them volunteer to be state witnesses or decide to tell all, then that will be a welcome development in the investigation. But even without that, we can solve this case, even without the cooperation of the suspects,” he said.
Earlier, 15 police officers, including a ranking officer holding the position of Police Lieutenant Colonel, were placed under restrictive custody after they were named by Patidongan in his affidavit.
Torre said administrative cases against them are expected to be completed within the week.
He said investigators visited several locations in Laguna, Batangas, Metro Manila, and nearby areas believed to be where the remains of the missing sabungeros were disposed of.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairperson Felix Reyes, a former judge of the Regional Trial Court, denied his alleged involvement in the case after he was accused by Patidongan of fixing cases for businessman and gaming tycoon Atong Ang.
“I categorically deny such wild accusations of Mr. Patidongan. I dare him to identify any specific case of Mr. Atong Ang or anything related to the Sabungero Case, which I understand is still pending in court, that I fixed or settled to the advantage of Mr. Ang. If Mr. Patidongan cannot substantiate his accusation of case-fixing, I ask him to shut up,” he said.
He said he is authorizing the Bureau of Immigration to disclose his travels abroad from the time he retired from the judiciary on October 1, 2021, up to the present, “to dispel any notion of travels abroad with prosecutors and judges.”
Reyes also questioned the timing of his implication in the case, which came a day after he filed his application for the position of Ombudsman.
“Finally, I wish to state that I am ready and willing to cooperate in any investigation by any government agency that will shed light on these baseless allegations of Mr. Patidongan and spare the judiciary and the prosecution service from the undeserved tarnishing of these institutions,” he said. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)