MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are working on placing alias “Totoy,” a suspect in the high-profile missing sabungeros case, under the Witness Protection Program.
As reported by Darlene Cay on “24 Oras,” the move follows Totoy’s willingness to testify in court amid threats to his and his family’s safety.
“We’re processing the information first, but I already have an arrangement with PNP Chief Nicolas Torre,” DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed.
Remulla also said that Totoy’s statements are backed by other pieces of corroborative evidence, though he withheld specifics. According to him, 10 more suspects named by Totoy are currently under investigation.
However, Totoy has yet to file a formal affidavit to begin the legal process.
The DOJ also denied allegations from families of the missing sabungeros that the government has abandoned the case. Remulla assured the public that efforts are ongoing but are often delayed by the thorough process of evidence gathering.
“I already spoke with him even before the elections, and we’ve been processing his information since,” Remulla said.