Atong Ang camp denies Patidongan tale, says he tried to extort P300 million

The camp of businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang has denied the allegations made by Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, one of the accused in the case of the missing sabungeros, or the cockfight enthusiasts who were abducted in 2021.

Atty. Lorna Kapunan said Patidongan tried to extort P300 million from the businessman and other members of the board.

She said Patidongan came out with his story after he knew that his extortion wouldn't work and that Ang was about to file a complaint against him.

"I think all the statements are lies," Kapunan told GMA Integrated News.

"They're false. And I think it did come at a time when it became evident to him that Mr. Atong Ang was not going to give in his extortion of P300 million, which he also tried, attempted to several members of the board," she added.

Patidongan earlier said Ang and three others were behind the abductions from 2021 to 2022. He said more than 100 were killed after being taken away.

The former security chief in some of Ang's farms and cockfight arenas also said that actress Gretchen Barretto knew about the kidnappings.

Patidongan said that a certain Eric Dela Rosa monitored the cockfights for cheating and reported those caught to Ang. He said these will be discussed with a certain Celso Salazar.

He claimed that Ang asked him to sign an affidavit to recant his statements in exchange for P300 million. But he said that he refused to accept any money from Ang. 

When asked why it took several years for him to speak up on the matter, Patidongan said he believes that Ang cannot bribe Philippine National Police chief General Nicolas Torre III. 

For her part, Kapunan said they recognize Torre’s competence and that “he can see through lies.”

Ang’s camp advised that they will file a complaint affidavit against Patidongan on Thursday before the Office of the Prosecutor in Mandaluyong. 

“He is willing to cooperate with the DOJ; they are all willing to cooperate with the Department of Justice, because they are following the wrong leads. You know, not only are his statements false… ang credibility niya is zero. I don't think the public knows what kind of person this whistleblower is,” Kapunan said.

Kapunan said that Patidongan has been charged with multiple counts of frustrated murder charges in 2019 and in 2020, as well as for robbery in 2019. 

“So this is the profile of the whistleblower, and I hope that the DOJ, the NBI, or the persons who are investigating further into this case see through all of his lies,” Kapunan said.

The complaint affidavit to be filed on Thursday against Patidongan alleges conspiracy to commit attempted robbery with violence and intimidation, grave threat, grave coercion, incriminating against innocent persons, and slander. 

The kin of two of the 34 missing sabungeros are hoping that Ang will be held accountable after Patidongan’s statements. 

Patidongan also earlier claimed that the victims’ remains were buried in Taal Lake. –GMA Integrated News