DOJ: We still have a strong case

Missing sabungeros

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Justice officials believe they still have a strong case against six former Manila Arena guards allegedly involved in the disappearance of six sabungeros or cockfighting aficionados, Assistant DOJ Secretary Mico Clavano said yesterday.

He issued the statement after suspects Virgilio Bayog, Gleer Codilla, Johnry Consolacion, Roberto Matillano Jr., Julie Patidongan and Mark Carlo Zabala were freed on bail on Dec. 15, 2023.

Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 40 Judge Rebecca Guillen-Ubaña allowed them to post bail of P500,000 for each of the six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with which the suspects were charged.

“This does not affect the case itself. We think that we still have a strong case here,” Clavano said in an interview.

“We have strong evidence in the guise of witnesses and statements that we feel are authentic and true, which we believe will finally lead to the resolution of the case,” he added.

According to Clavano, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is scheduled to meet with the families of the missing sabungeros next week.

While granting bail to the accused has not affected the case, Clavano said the move may have affected the families of the victims.

“This is the reason we wanted to meet the families of the victims: to give them explanations,” Clavano said.

“They may think this is the start of the end of the case and that it would be dismissed. But for us, that is not true. We will stand strong, and we will prosecute until the end.” he added.

The six former Manila Arena guards, who were arrested in two safehouses in Parañaque in September 2023, were tagged in the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts John Claude Inonog, James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco and Rowel Gomez in January 2022.