The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed readiness to provide security to the families of the “missing sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts) amid reports of alleged pressure and interference from the camp of fugitive gambling lord Charlie “Atong” Ang. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, said the police would not ignore claims that relatives of the missing sabungeros were allegedly asked to skip hearings, stressing that any intimidation or bribery will be investigated. “Police assistance does not end with case build-up and filing of charges. It expands to ensuring that no mockery of the justice system will happen at the course of the legal process,” Nartatez said. Relatives of the missing sabungeros trooped to the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to report that the camp of Ang, through his lawyer Caroline Cruz, silenced most of the families of the involved in the case by paying them P40,000 monthly along with regular free travels. The payment, according to a complainant, was in exchange for their non-appearance and eventual dropping of cases against Ang. Once the cases weaken, Ang will show up to express his gratitude through a final payment of P1 million for each family. Napolcom Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan said he was shocked to learn that the missing sabungero cases were falling because of alleged bribery. Cruz admitted that she gave cash to the families of the missing sabungeros but only as a form of assistance.
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