MANILA, Philippines – The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has ordered an investigation into the alleged involvement of some Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel in the disappearance of sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts.
Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan ordered the commission’s Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service to conduct a motu proprio probe into the cops’ alleged involvement in the case on Friday, June 27.
An attached agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Napolcom Calinisan has the mandate to “exercise administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP, with the end in view of ensuring a highly capable, effective and credible police service.”
It can order probe, and sanction erring police officers and personnel.
This comes after a witness, alias “Totoy” who is also one of the accused in the case, claimed that 30 people are allegedly involved in the kidnapping of the cockfight enthusiasts, including around 20 cops. This was the same witness that claimed that the sabungeros were already dead and buried in Taal Lake.
The Napolcom probe is intended for possible administrative cases against cops, but the commission can also help in the case build-up for criminal complaints by other agencies.
“In this case, those who are involved, if any, may face the cases for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer,” Calinisan told Rappler.
He said that the penalty ranges from suspension to dismissal.
Calinisan also appealed to “Totoy” and other complainants to file a formal complaint with the commission to expedite the resolution of the case.
“I am appealing to Alyas Totoy to appear and submit his complaint affidavit with the Napolcom, so we can investigate and hear this case with absolute dispatch. There needs to be swift justice, and we will not hesitate to dispense swift justice,” Calinisan said.
He also appealed to other agencies to share with the commission evidence related to the case, noting that the threshold of required evidence for administrative cases are lower compared to criminal cases. This means that administrative cases are faster to solve if the evidence are substantial or enough.
“So, whatever evidence they have, which the Napolcom does not have yet and any law enforcement agency may have, please share it to us. Even those victimized by this incident can file affidavits with us,” Calinisan added.
As of December 2022, a total of 34 sabungeros have gone missing, but only a few cases were filed in relation to their disappearance. There were claims that the number of missing cockfight enthusiasts could reach over a hundred. – Rappler.com