Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla revealed that several suspects in the missing cockfighters case are also linked to the bloody drug war of former President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte.
“There was a convergence with the drug war. There was an intersection with the drug war here,” Remulla stated during an interview on the program “On Point.”
“The operations of many of the people here were intertwined also with the drug war,” the secretary said. “They were involved in the drug war and they were also involved in the silencing of these people.”
When asked to clarify his statement, Remulla only mentioned: “They are the suspects… the suspects are the ones who are (carrying out the killings).”
The DOJ chief defended Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as “Totoy,” against those questioning the credibility of his testimony regarding the abduction and killing of the missing cockfighters.
“He’s very credible,” Remulla emphasized. “So far, I don’t see anything invented (testimony) in his narration. He’s been very consistent with what he’s been telling us and with what he has said publicly.”
The secretary also asserted that even if the bodies of the cockfighters are not found in Taal Lake or other suspected burial sites, cases against the suspects will still proceed.
Earlier, Patidongan identified businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang as the alleged mastermind behind the disappearance of the cockfighters, while actress Grethen Barreto was accused of supporting their elimination.
Both Ang and Barreto have denied the allegations. Ang has also filed a complaint against Patidongan with the Mandaluyong City Prosecutors Office.
