MANILA – Four police officers earlier implicated in the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts (“sabungeros”) are now facing fresh administrative charges, this time tied to alleged abuses during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, complainants Milagros Estacio and Elizabeth Sotto said they filed cases before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against several officers, including the four, over the abduction of their sons in separate police anti-drug operations in early 2021.

Sotto identified the respondents as Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa, Maj. Mark Philip Simborio Almedilla, Senior Master Sgt. Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, and S/Sgt. Edmon Hernandez Muñoz.

The four were among the 12 policemen previously charged administratively in relation to the disappearance of the missing sabungeros.

“Nalaman namin na ito ay connected din sa mga [missing] sabungeros, na dumukot ay iisa lang na mga tao, kaya kami nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na mag-file ngayon sa Napolcom para mabigyan ng hustisya ito,” Sotto said.

Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan, who joined the briefing, said the new complaints warrant a deeper probe but assured that due process would be observed.

“We repeat, may due process tayo dito sa Napolcom. ‘Yung kaso na nauna, we have to take it kung anong ebidensya nandun sa mesa sa kasong ‘yun. Hindi natin puwede paghaluin,” Calinisan said.

“Sa usapang EJK at usapang sabong, we have to take a step back and look ano ba talaga ang tunay na scenario,” he added.

Napolcom has already suspended for 90 days the 12 officers tagged in the sabungeros case. (PNA)