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No sacred cows in probe into missing ‘sabungeros’ case: Palace
ARRESTED. One of the suspects in the kidnapping of missing “sabungeros” undergo booking procedures at the CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame on Sept. 15, 2023. The CIDG-Calabarzon nabbed six accused in two separate locations in Parañaque City.
(Photo by PNP-PIO via PNA)
By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency
MANILA – No one will be spared in the investigation into the case of the disappearance of “sabungeros” (cockfight aficionados), Malacañang said on Thursday.
This, after Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as “Alyas Totoy,” implicated business tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto in the abduction and murder of over 100 sabungeros.
Asked if President Ferdinand R.
Marcos Jr. has a fresh directive following the latest revelation, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the case will be handled by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other law enforcement agencies.
Castro, nevertheless, assured the public that Marcos would not take sides, given that influential personalities were linked to the case of the missing sabungeros.
“Sinuman, ano man ang katayuan sa buhay, kung sila man ay personalidad na kinikilala, wala pong sisinuhin ang Pangulo at administrasyon (Whoever they are, whatever their status in life, whether they are prominent personalities, the President and the administration will not spare them),” she said.
“Kung dapat lang pong may panagutan, dapat lamang pong maimbestigahan ng mabuti para mabigyan ng hustisya ang pamilya ng sinasabi nating missing sabungeros (If there should be accountability, it should be thoroughly investigated so that the families of the missing sabungeros will be given justice).”
Pressed if Patidongan could be considered a state witness, Castro said it would depend on the evaluation of the DOJ.
Castro said those who would be considered state witnesses must have the courage and determination to speak the truth.
“Ie-evaluate po ang testimony niya at kung sino pa ang ibang mga witnesses na pwedeng gawing state witness. Depende po iyan sa kanilang katapangan, sa katotohanan na sasabihin nila, at ‘yung pagkakataon na mag-recant sila ng testimony (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),” she said.
Ang denied the allegations and filed charges against Patidongan on Thursday morning for the latter’s supposed attempt to extort PHP300 million from him.
