Palace on justice for missing sabungeros: No one will be spared

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will not spare anyone in the pursuit of justice for the missing sabungeros and their families, Malacañang said Thursday.

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked if the President has new directives with regard to the case after prominent personalities, including businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang and actress Gretchen Barreto, were implicated by accused Julie "Dondon" Patidongan.

"Ito naman po ay trabaho po ng DOJ at ng ibang law enforcement agencies po natin, sinuman, anumang katayuan sa buhay, kung sila man ay personalidad na kinikilala, wala pong sisinuhin ang Pangulo at ang administrasyon," Castro said in a briefing.

(This is the job of the DOJ and law enforcement agencies. The President and his administration will spare no one, regardless of their status in life, even if famous personalities are involved.)

"Kung may dapat na panagutan, dapat lamang pong maimbestigahan nang mabuti para mabigyan ng hustisya ang pamilya ng sinasabi nating missing sabungeros," she added. 

(If someone needs to be made accountable, then it is just proper that he or she be investigated so that justice will be given to the missing cockfight enthusiasts.)

Patidongan, alias Totoy, said Wednesday the missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts have all been killed. He claimed to be a former chief of security in Ang's farms and cockfight arenas.

Asked if Marcos would consider Patidongan as a state witness, Castro said it would depend on the evaluation of the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding his testimonies.

Ang on Thursday filed a complaint affidavit against Patidongan with the Office of the Prosecutor in Mandaluyong City. The businessman said he was being extorted P300 million by Patidongan.

The complaint was for conspiracy to commit attempted robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, grave threats, grave coercion, slander, and incriminating against innocent persons.

Ang's camp has already denied the accusations thrown by Patidongan. — VDV, GMA Integrated News