Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said some families of missing sabungeros may have reached settlements, which explains why several complainants have stopped communicating with prosecutors.
Fadullon said the complainants initially worked with authorities in pursuing the cases involving the disappearance of several sabungeros, but some gradually became unresponsive after the cases were filed.
“I do not want to speculate on possible causes,” Fadullon said in an interview when asked why the complainants had stopped communicating with prosecutors.
However, he said reports from an earlier case involving missing sabungeros suggested that families may have opted to settle.
“After, and this is despite the fact that that was the only case that was surviving, well, news that got to us was that naareglo,” Fadullon said.
“So I can only surmise that the possibility is, the same thing is being done,” he added.
Fadullon said families may have decided to settle because their missing relatives cannot be brought back even if the criminal cases eventually result in convictions.
“Anong klaseng laban ang meron ka na kahit na manalo ka, wala pa rin yung kamaganakan mo. Wala na sila, patay na sila. That will not bring them back to life,” he said.
“So maybe some of them are minded to just settle so that they can move on,” Fadullon added.
Despite the possible settlements or withdrawal of complainants, Fadullon stressed that the criminal cases will continue.
He said the cases are public offenses and do not depend entirely on the presence or cooperation of the victims’ families.
“Can the case proceed? Yes, because we have the criminal aspect,” Fadullon said.
He stressed that the prosecution is focused on establishing criminal liability and the corresponding penalties.
The cases involving missing sabungeros originally filed in courts in Santa Cruz, San Pablo and Lipa have been raffled to courts in Quezon City.
Prosecutors continue to present evidence and oppose petitions for bail filed by some of the accused.
Businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang has been tagged as an alleged mastermind in the disappearance cases.
Fadullon said the families’ participation is more relevant to the civil aspect of the cases, particularly claims for damages.
“If they will recant, again the effect will be only in so far as the civil aspect. It will not have any impact on the criminal aspect,” he said.
He added that the situation could be different if a family member had personal knowledge of the disappearance or personally witnessed the incident.