The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued subpoenas to around 60 individuals linked to the case of the missing cockfight enthusiasts, DOJ spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano confirmed on Wednesday.
“Subpoenas have been issued from the preliminary report given by the National Prosecution Service as against the 59 or 60 respondents in the case of the missing sabungeros,” Clavano said in a televised interview.
He explained that serving the subpoenas is ongoing due to the number of respondents.
“Dahil po marami ‘yan sila (Since this involves quite a few people) and we usually serve that personally, the service is still ongoing. So, nagsimula po tayo mag-serve ng subpoenas kahapon at ngayon po nagpapatuloy po tayo sa pag-serve ng mga subpoenas na ‘yun,” he added.
Clavano also confirmed that gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang is among those subpoenaed but was unsure if he was included in the first or second batch.
Meanwhile, Clavano revealed that the Philippine Coast Guard has retrieved another set of human remains from the bed of Taal Lake.
“We are again coming up with an updated inventory and this will all go through the DNA testing which we have been doing since the start of the operation,” he said.
Earlier, whistleblower Julie Patidongan claimed that a group of 20 individuals allegedly controlling the cockfighting industry ordered the killing of the missing sabungeros and disposed of their remains in Taal Lake.