JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is probing allegations that businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang is supposedly the brains behind the disappearance of at least 34 “sabungeros” or cockfighting enthusiasts who were abducted in 2021 and 2022.
In a chance interview, Remulla said Ang, along with actress Gretchen Barreto, are now being considered as suspects in the case after their names were linked by Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, alias “Totoy.”
“They are being looked at as suspects,” Remulla told reporters hours after Ang filed a criminal complaint against Patidongan and another individual for allegedly attempting to extort P300 million from him in exchange for not dragging him into the case.
Remulla aid that since their names were mentioned by Patidongan, “so we have to include them as suspects.”
“We are preparing a case build-up,” he added.
Asked when charges will be filed against Ang and Barreto, the DOJ chief said the probe and case build-up are still ongoing but expressed confidence it will happen soon.
“It will come sooner rather than later. It will happen,” he said, adding the panel of prosecutors will evaluate the evidence thoroughly “so that we will know what cases will be filed properly.”
Remulla said Patidongan has revealed enough information in the statement he provided to authorities.
“There may be enough. In fact, sometimes you can suffer from indigestion of information that comes out or came from the statement given. So, we just have to thoroughly vet everything and there’s a lot more police work involved than anything else,” he said.
He also said authorities have identified specific locations to search for the bodies of the missing sabungeros who are believed to have been thrown into Taal Lake.
“Meron na tayo alam kung saan maghahanap at kung paano hahanapin (We already know the places to search and how to search them),” Remulla said, stressing that while Taal Lake spans over 200 square kilometers, they have concrete leads.
“We’re trying to get the dives done as soon as possible. But the weather is not permitting,” he said.
Remulla also cited the government’s significant interest in the case, moving beyond private complaints or the families of the missing sabungeros.
“It’s the interest of the state. It’s the interest of our people. We have to be satisfied. Not just curiosity, but a sense of justice has to prevail over everything else,” he said.
Remulla earlier said the alleged mastermind wielded so much financial power within the e-sabong or online cockfighting area, suggesting that “heavy money” involved could potentially “penetrate the judiciary.
He had also hinted that more “big names” could be implicated in the ongoing probe but refused to disclose more.
POLICEMEN
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) urged Patidongan to submit his affidavit in relation to the alleged involvement of at least 20 policemen in the kidnapping and subsequent killing of the sabungeros. One of the policemen, he said, has a rank of colonel.
In an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel, Napolcom vice chairman Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the commission has already launched a motu proprio investigation on the allegation.
Calinisan clarified that the Napolcom investigation is on the administrative aspect of the case.
“A few days ago, we ordered a motu proprio investigation. Candidly, I have yet to speak to alias Totoy. I have no copy of his affidavit. But that does not bar us from doing our own investigation,” he said.
“We have to get to the bottom of this and we have to act very soon,” he added.
He urged Patidongan to come forward and submit his affidavit which he said is “very much needed” in the probe, saying they have no idea as to the people providing assistance to the suspect-turned-whistleblower.
Calinisan said the agency has an initial list of personnel who may be involved in the case but declined to elaborate.
Palace Press officer Claire Castro said no one will be spared in the ongoing investigations.
“No one, whatever their status in life, whether they are recognized personalities, the President and the administration will not spare them,” Castro said in Filipino.
“If there is a need for accountability, it is only fitting that it be thoroughly investigated so that justice can be given to the families of those we call missing cockfighting enthusiasts,” she added.
Asked if Patidongan could become a state witness, Castro said it would depend on the evaluation of the DOJ.
“His testimony will be evaluated. And who are the other witnesses that can be made state witnesses. That depends on their courage, the truth that they will tell, and the opportunity that they will have to recant their testimonies,” Castro said. – With Victor Reyes and Jocelyn Reyes
