The Philippine National Police (PNP) has expressed its readiness to enforce any court order related to the ongoing legal proceedings in the case of the “missing sabungeros,” particularly those involving the issuance of arrest warrants.
This follows the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcement that the murder complaint filed against several individuals linked to disappearance of 34 sabungeros has been submitted for resolution.
The complaint includes charges of kidnapping with serious illegal detention and multiple murder, stemming from seven separate incidents that occurred between 2021 and 2022.
A panel of prosecutors is expected to issue a resolution soon, determining whether the complaint will be dismissed or filed before the appropriate court.
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said the PNP is ready to carry out its mandate once judicial processes are completed.
“The Philippine National Police is always ready to enforce the law once the proper judicial processes are completed. Once any arrest warrant is issued, we will immediately act in coordination with the concerned units and the courts to ensure its proper and lawful implementation,” said Nartatez.
“We will follow due process and make sure that all procedures are done within the bounds of the law,” he stressed.
Nartatez said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and local police units would be on standby and ready to extend any assistance to the court.
“At this point, we are closely monitoring developments. We recognize that this is a sensitive case that has drawn public attention. The PNP has prepared security and monitoring measures to ensure peace and order once the resolution is released,” said Nartatez.
He urged the public to remain calm and allow the legal process to take its course, “ We will continue to do our part to keep the public safe and uphold the rule of law.” (Aaron Recuenco)
