MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it will continue pursuing cases against those implicated in the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts, even as most of the victims’ families have stopped participating in the complaints.

Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said the absence of the families would not affect the criminal cases.

“This is not dependent on the absence or presence of the families of the victims. Napansin namin unti-unti nawawala na ‘yung mga complainants at totally hindi na nakikipag-usap at nakikipag-ugnayan sa amin (We notice that the complainants have started to stop communicating with the prosecutors,” he said.

A total of 26 informations have been filed against individuals implicated in the cases, including 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

Fadullon said the victims’ families would be needed mainly for the civil aspect of the cases, particularly in proving damages.

“It will not have any impact in the criminal aspect because ang ebidensya natin dito sa criminal ay iba doon sa ebidensya na kakailanganin as far sa pagpapatunay sa danyos na makukuha nila kung meron man (the evidence for the criminal case differs from the evidence required to substantiate the damages they might recover, if any),” he said.

“For me, there is no price for the life of any individual. No amount can pay for that,” Fadullon added./PNA