The Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) is currently waiting for a formal affidavit from a key witness, known as alias Totoy, to proceed with further investigations into police involvement in the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts.
According to PNP-IAS Inspector General Atty. Brigido J. Dulay, Totoy has named additional officers linked to the case beyond the seven who were dismissed from service back in January 2023.
“Once we receive the affidavit, we can officially initiate administrative proceedings based on Totoy’s claims,” Dulay said. He emphasized that the new names mentioned by Totoy have not yet appeared in any official documents.
Dulay acknowledged that without Totoy’s detailed affidavit, the investigation could stall. While the PNP-IAS is already building a case using available documents, the absence of Totoy’s sworn statement limits further progress.
He stressed the importance of the new witness’s account, saying it would provide critical details not yet covered in testimonies previously submitted to the Senate and during earlier investigations.
Dulay clarified that the seven officers dismissed were allegedly linked only to the abduction of three individuals. Totoy, one of the accused, has claimed that up to 20 police officers were involved and promised to name them in his affidavit.
The case involves 34 cockfighting aficionados who disappeared between 2021 and 2022, reportedly due to cheating and match-fixing in games. Totoy further alleged that the victims were buried in Taal Lake.