Malacañang is supportive of an exhaustive investigation into the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts or sabungeros, reiterating President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to give justice to the families of the victims.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said a thorough investigation is necessary following the pronouncement of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla that the disappearance could be linked to the war on drugs of the previous administration.

“Kung ganiyan po ang nakikita sa mga imbestigasyon, mas lalo pa po dapat itong palawigin, iyong pag-iimbestiga rito dahil mukhang kone-konektado ang mga nagawang krimen,” Castro said on Wednesday.

“Hindi po natin sinasabi na sila na po ay guilty pero mas gusto po ng Pangulo, iuutos po talaga niya na dapat mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga nabiktima,” Castro added.

Castro earlier said President Marcos has ordered concerned agencies to continue with the investigation to find out who was behind the disappearance of the sabungeros and ensure that justice is served.

A total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts went missing from 2021 to 2022, and police said they were kidnapped allegedly due to their involvement in match fixing or cheating.

One of the kidnapping suspects has recently implicated several known personalities in the abduction and killing, and claimed that the victims’ remains were dumped into Taal Lake. | PND