Photo credit: Nessa Valdellon

The director behind the documentary The Lost Sabungeros has addressed the recent statement released by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), clarifying the situation surrounding the film’s review and distribution.

In a message directed to the agency’s chair and those who read the MTRCB’s statement earlier in the day, the filmmaker explained that there was no intention to be disrespectful or to escalate the issue publicly. Instead, the director pointed to earlier communications from the agency regarding the documentary.

“To the MTRCB Chair and those who read the MTRCB statement about The Lost Sabungeros this morning: I truly have no wish to be disrespectful nor answer via a statement through our public sites. Would just like to remind you that your very own office sent out communications to us last February with this specific line: ‘The Board finds no sufficient basis to disturb or reconsider its prior determination in DECLINING TO REVIEW AND CLASSIFY the above mentioned film.’ From your own words, you declined to review The Lost Sabungeros a second time. We are going the school route so that more people can see the new/complete version of the documentary. Thank you.”

According to the filmmaker, the documentary team decided to screen the updated and complete version of the film in schools, allowing more audiences to view the project despite the regulatory hurdle.

The documentary centers on the mysterious disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts in the Philippines, a case widely known as the “Lost Sabungeros,” which has drawn national attention and public interest.

The exchange between the filmmaker and the MTRCB has further fueled discussions online about film regulation, censorship, and alternative avenues for documentary screenings in the country.