One of the suspects in the case of the sabungeros who went missing four years ago has expressed willingness to testify in court.
In Emil Sumangil’s exclusive report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the suspect told GMA Integrated News that he wants to correct the wrongdoings he committed after receiving threats to his life.
He also requested not to reveal his name in public.
“Hindi na kaya ng konsensiya ko, sa mga magulang na nawalan. Pangalawa, ako na ang pinag-interesan. Buong pamilya ko, gusto nang patayin,” alias “Totoy” said.
(My conscience cannot take it anymore, knowing some parents lost their children. Second, I’m being threatened. They want my whole family dead.)
He also clarified that he was not one of the two men seen escorting a man in handcuffs outside the cockpit in Santa Cruz, Laguna, which was caught on a mobile video, as initially reported by the police.
He said the two men with aliases “Toto” and “Dodong” are the driver and security personnel. He added that Toto has a tattoo on his feet.
Meanwhile, the police identified the handcuffed man as Michael Bautista, one of the missing sabungeros.
Totoy said the two men brought Bautista to another person since he had engaged in “tyope” inside the cockpit.
Panyonyope is an illegal act inside the cockpit that involves cheating by moving the blade or gaff, a thin, sharp blade attached to the feet of a bird for use in a cockfight.
Bautista’s family earlier denied the allegations.
Meanwhile, some families of the missing sabungeros welcomed the recent development.
“Pagod na pagod na po ako. Matanda na ako, 76 na ako. Ito man lang ang maibigay niyong tulong, bago ako mawala, makita ko lang ang anak ko, buhay man o patay. Edgar, anak, kung nasan ka man ngayon, ito na anak. Antagal ko na nag tiis naghirap ang hirap sobrang sakit ang nararamdaman ko,” said Carmen Malaca, mother of one of the missing sabungeros.
(I’m so tired and old. I’m 76 years old. Seeing my son, alive or dead, may be the help you’ll be giving me before I pass away. Edgar, my son, this is it. I have been enduring the hardship and pain.)
“Talagang may Diyos! Ito na! Sa kanya na namin inasa yan, Diyos ko, kayo na po ang bahala sa lahat lahat ng kahirapan ng kalooban namin,” said Ma. Teresa Antecristo, wife of one of the missing sabungeros.
(There truly is a God! We have been relying on Him. The rest is up to Him.)
“Siguro po, mabibigyan na po kami ng hustisya, malalaman na namin, kung ano ang nangyari sa mga kamaganak namin,” said Eloisa Bohol, mother of one of the missing sabungeros.
(Maybe we will attain justice. We’ll see what happened to our sons.)
Toto said he has requested security from the government.
His affidavit, containing everything he knows about the disappearance of the sabungeros, is being completed.
“Ako ang susi ng lahat. Pag ako nawala, tanggal ang kanilang problema. Sa tingin ko, kahit bayaran ako, papatayin din ako. Kahit bigyan ako ng pera papatayin ka rin, useless din, sabihin mo na lahat ng totoo,” Totoy said.
(I’m the key to solving the case. If I’m gone, their problem will be solved. I think they will kill me even if they pay me to keep shut. It’s useless, so I will tell the truth.)
GMA Integrated News is seeking comment from the Philippine National Police, Department of Justice, and National Bureau of Investigation. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
