MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday reaffirmed its opposition to the bail granted to several individuals implicated in the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts, or “sabungeros,” whose cases are pending before the San Pablo, Laguna and Manila Regional Trial Courts (RTC).

Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said the DOJ maintains that bail should not have been granted, and that the accused must be re-arrested.

“The position of the department is that notwithstanding the remedy availed of by the accused, elevating the matter to the Supreme Court, the decision that stands, as it is right now, the bail should not have been granted, therefore all the accused should be arrested,” Fadullon told reporters.

Among those granted temporary liberty are three policemen and whistleblower Julie Patidongan, alias “Totoy,” in connection with separate cases in Manila and Laguna.

In Manila, the DOJ is appealing the court’s decision to grant bail to Patidongan and five others allegedly involved in the Manila Arena incident. Meanwhile, prosecutors are also preparing a motion for reconsideration to contest a similar grant of bail by the Laguna RTC.

“The department will surely file a motion for reconsideration and consider other options after that,” Fadullon said.

On Patidongan’s earlier claim that the bodies of the missing sabungeros were dumped in Taal Lake, Fadullon said his testimony is still being assessed.

“He is still an accused in the case, although he may be considered a whistleblower. As of this time, all the things that have been disclosed are still being subjected to validation and evaluation by enforcement authorities,” he said.

Fadullon added that investigators continue to build the case and are working to verify the information Patidongan provided. (PNA)