By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Four police officers being linked to the disappearance of several “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts) are facing new administrative charges, this time in connection with the controversial anti-drug campaign of the Duterte administration.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, complainants Milagros Estacio and Elizabeth Sotto said they filed the complaint against several police officers, including the four, over the abduction of their respective sons during separate police anti-drug operations in early 2021.
Sotto identified the four as Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa, Maj. Mark Philip Simborio Almedilla, Senior Master Sgt. Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, and S/Sgt. Edmon Hernandez Muñoz.
The four were among the 12 police officers who were earlier administratively charged in connection with the missing “sabungeros” case.
The complaints were filed before the National Police Commission (Napolcom).
“Nalaman namin na ito ay connected din sa mga [missing] sabungeros, na dumukot ay iisa lang na mga tao, kaya kami nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na mag-file ngayon sa Napolcom para mabigyan ng hustisya ito (We found out that this is also connected with the missing sabungeros, the same group of people, so we developed the courage to file the complaint today before the Napolcom to seek justice),” Sotto said.
Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan, who was present in the briefing, said this development calls for a deeper investigation.
The Napolcom official assured that due process will be accorded to the policemen.
“We repeat, may due process tayo dito sa Napolcom. ‘Yung kaso na nauna, we have to take it kung anong ebidensya nandun sa mesa sa kasong ‘yun. Hindi natin puwede paghaluin (We observe due process here at Napolcom. We have to know the evidence in the first complaint. We can’t mix the two complaints),” Calinisan said.
“Sa usapang EJK (extrajudicial killings) at usapang sabong (When it comes to EJK and cockfighting), we have to take a step back and look ano ba talaga ang tunay na scenario (what the real scenario is),” he added.
Napolcom has already suspended for 90 days the 12 police officers tagged in the missing “sabungeros” case. (PNA)
