PNP to run DNA tests on 6 suspected human bones from missing sabungeros search
Six possible human bones found in Taal Lake will undergo DNA testing amid the search for missing sabungeros.
The Philippine National Police Forensic Group said during a press briefing on July 15 that six out of the 91 bone samples from five sacks retrieved from the search operation in Taal Lake are suspected to be human based on their morphology.
Lt. Col. Edmar Dela Torre, officer in charge of the PNPFG DNA Laboratory Division, said the bones were first dried out and sorted as of human or animal origin, before undergoing DNA profiling. The results would then be cross-checked with the 18 DNA profiles collected through swabbing from relatives of the missing sabungeros.
"'Yung shape is peculiar sa humans, makikita mong talagang pantao siya sa tingin pa lang po and examination," P/Lt. Col. Francisco Supe Jr. said, as per ABS-CBN News.
Dela Torre added that as the bones were submerged in the lake, it would take five to seven days for the PNP to come up with initial findings.
This came a few days after the police found skeletal remains inside a sack in their search for the missing sabungeros.
PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said on July 14 that the recovered bones were a mix of human and animal remains.
Missing sabungeros case
Whistleblower Dondon Patidongan tagged businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto as among the persons allegedly behind the abductions of missing cockfighters. He accused them, as well as Eric Dela Rosa and Celso Salazar, of being the masterminds in the case of not just 34 but over 100 missing sabungeros.
The whistleblower, who said he has been working for Ang for 15 years as the chief of security of his farms and cockfight areas, alleged that Ang is the pit master's chairman. "Siya ang mastermind, at siya ang nag-uutos na talagang iligpit ang mga 'yan," he said in his interview with GMA's 24 Oras.
While he's one of the six accused in the missing sabungeros case, Patidongan asserted that he was merely following orders from Ang.
Ang filed cases against Patidongan and another whistleblower, Alan Bantiles, also known as "Brown," who had also tagged him in the case. The complaints filed before the Office of Mandaluyong City Prosecutor include attempted robbery, violence and intimidation, grave threats, grave coercion, and incriminating innocent people.
Ang denied the allegations. "Wala naman kaming history na pumapatay ng tao—paano mangyayari 'yan?" he said in a July 3 press conference.
His camp, in a statement, called the accusations against him "entirely false, baseless, and malicious."
"He categorically and unequivocally denies any involvement in the alleged unlawful, heinous, and criminal acts that have recently been reported and linked to him," it read.
Barretto, through her legal counsel, also denied involvement in the case, noting she "has no relevant knowledge" about the disappearances.
"She did not operate the sabungan, had no participation in e-sabong operations that was suspended more than two years ago, and was merely an investor in the business (one of about 20 investors categorized as alpha members)," her lawyer said. "She attended no meetings where approvals were sought nor given to implement the disappearances. The proposition is so absurd, it is plain invention. Ms. Barretto regrets that she is being crucified without basis, and has become the subject of unsavory speculation based on rumor."
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, meanwhile, said that Barretto and Ang will be included in the list of suspects, and formal cases will be filed against them soon.
