By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday warned that powerful figures might be behind the missing “sabungeros” (cockfight afficionados) case, with money to influence even the courts.
“Tandaan nyo ambigat ng kalaban dito, ang pera nyan nakakapasok even sa judiciary (Remember, our adversary here is a heavyweight, with money to infiltrate even the judiciary). And that’s one thing that we might have to talk to the Chief Justice about, kasi mabigat ang pera ng e-sabong, hindi ito basta-basta kalaban (e-sabong money is heavy, it’s not to be taken lightly)” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in an interview with reporters.
“(B)asta yung sinasabi ng mastermind, in his own words, kahit Supreme Court daw kaya nya (The mastermind is saying, in his own words, he can influence even the Supreme Court).”
He, however, declined to identify the possible mastermind, only saying that the mastermind is part of a group of about 20 individuals, including some government officials and police officials, who have adopted a corporate setup in running the billion-peso industry.
Remulla assured that the government would leave no stone unturned in building up the case against the powerful figures.
Meanwhile, Remulla said the DOJ is coordinating with various government agencies in scouring the bed of Taal Lake, where the bodies of the missing sabungeros and others were allegedly dumped, according to a whistleblower.
“We are doing everything now. We’ve talked to the Armed Forces, Navy, Coast Guard… na (who are) willing to undertake the technical diving exercise needed for this,” he said.
“We are also contacting the Japanese government for assistance here. We also have remote vehicles at the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) that we can use but we lack the technical expertise and experience.” (PNA)
