MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) will continue prosecuting the criminal cases involving the missing sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts) even as several victims’ families have stopped communicating with prosecutors.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon announced Thursday that cockfighting-related cases from Laguna (Santa Cruz and San Pablo) and Batangas (Lipa) were moved to Quezon City, where prosecutors are presenting evidence and opposing the defendants' bail requests.
“The public prosecution does not have to have a complainant to stand on its own,” Fadullon said, stressing that the cases involve alleged criminal offenses against the state and public order.
The DOJ official said prosecutors had initially maintained contact with the families, who had sought government assistance in finding their missing relatives. But after the cases were filed, some complainants stopped responding to calls and other attempts to reach them.
Fadullon said the absence or withdrawal of the families primarily affected the civil aspect of the cases, particularly claims for damages arising from the loss, suffering and economic impact of their relatives’ disappearance.
The criminal aspect, however, is different, he said, because prosecutors are seeking to establish the criminal liability of the accused through evidence presented in court.
He also said that even if families retracted statements, such retractions would not automatically derail the criminal cases because prosecutors have other evidence to establish criminal liability.
“The criminal aspect is not dependent on the absence or presence of the families of the victims,” Fadullon said.
The cases include charges of kidnapping and kidnapping with serious illegal detention. The Supreme Court approved the transfer of three cases from courts in Laguna and Batangas to Quezon City.
Fadullon also clarified that the separate obstruction-of-justice complaint involving individuals allegedly linked to the legal team of businessman Charlie Ang has no bearing on the existing criminal cases involving the missing sabungeros.
He said that complaint remained pending resolution and that any retractions by complainants could affect that separate case if their statements formed part of the evidence supporting it.
Asked about reports of possible settlements with some families, Fadullon declined to speculate on the reasons behind their decision to stop participating. He said, however, that financial compensation and criminal accountability are separate matters.
“There is no price for the life of any individual. No amount can pay for that,” Fadullon said.