MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) yesterday filed administrative charges against 11 police officers tagged in the disappearance of two e-sabong players, expanding the long-running probe into the case of missing cockfight enthusiasts.
The Napolcom’s Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) filed the charges with the Legal Affairs Service after finding probable cause that the officers were linked to the kidnapping of Charles Dean Sotto and Dane Mark Carlos in 2021.
“As a result of our pre-charge investigation, we found out – because of the probability that a kidnapping occurred – we will be filing two counts of grave misconduct,” IMIS staff service Director Edman Pares said at a press briefing.
The suspects will also face two counts of conduct unbecoming of a police officer, according to Pares.
The charges stemmed from a complaint filed in September by the victims’ parents, who continue to seek justice more than three years after the cockfight enthusiasts went missing.
The Napolcom said the administrative case is separate from the criminal charges that may be filed once the police officers’ alleged role in the kidnapping and disappearance of cockfight players are fully established.