The controversial disappearance of more than a hundred sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts may soon be the subject of a formal House inquiry, following renewed calls for accountability.
Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. revealed that the 20th Congress Quad Committee is likely to take up the issue as part of its extrajudicial killings probe.
“That will be covered. In fact, I already have talked with some of the would-be members of the Quad Comm, na palagay ko makakasama ito sapagkat that is another issue as far as the extrajudicial killing is concerned,” Abante said.
“The fact that more than a hundred sabongeros, whether they cheated or not, but they were not given due process, bigla nalang pinatay at nawala. So palagay ko, Congress has to tackle on that also,” he added.
Among those eyed to testify are whistleblower “Totoy,” businessman Atong Ang, and representatives from law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine National Police. Several officers linked to the disappearances are currently in police custody.
“Ipapaimbita po namin, for example, like ‘yung whistleblower nila o ‘yung magiging witness, si Totoy. Well, definitely we’re going to invite him. Pag-uusapan pa namin… kung sino pa maaaring imbitahan dyan. For example, like Atong Ang should be also invited. And of course, the Philippine National Police, who investigated some of the policemen right now na nasa custody na ng Philippine National Police. I believe they should also be invited and shed light as to what has really happened sa missing Sabungeros,” Abante stated. (RRN)
