Gretchen Barretto denies alleged involvement in missing sabungeros case

A day after she was tagged as a suspect in the case of the missing cockfight enthusiasts, former actress Gretchen Barretto on Friday denied allegations that she is involved in their disappearance.

“We deny it. She denies it, categorically…Because the fact of the matter is wala siyang kinalaman doon, wala siyang ginawa, wala siyang sinabi that connects with the disappearance of the sabungeros,” said Atty. Alma Mallonga, Barreto’s legal counsel, in an exclusive interview with Mariz Umali in “24 Oras.” 

(We deny it. She denies it, categorically…Because the fact of the matter is she had nothing to do with it, she did nothing, she said nothing that is connected with the disappearance of the sabungeros.) 

Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, alyas Totoy, tagged businessman Atong Ang as the mastermind behind the abductions. Patidongan, who claimed to be a security chief in Ang's farms and cockfight arenas, also linked Barretto to the disappearances. 

Patidongan also alleged that Barretto agreed during a meeting that the cheating sabungeros must be dealt with. 

But Mallonga said her client was merely one of the 20 investors, categorized as alpha members, in e-sabong operations. 

“She attended no meetings where approvals were sought nor given to implement the disappearances. The proposition is so absurd, it is a plain invention,” Mallonga said.

On Thursday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said she and businessman Atong Ang are now considered suspects in the case and must be investigated.

Although they were worried about Remulla’s pronouncements, Mallonga said that there is still no strong evidence to prove the actress’ involvement in the disappearances. 

“Yung sinasabi ni Secretary Remulla, naiintidihan ko. Ibig niya lang sabihin na itinuturing niyang suspect si Ms. Gretchen Barretto ay dahil siya ay pinangalanan ng whistleblower,” the lawyer said. 

(I understand what Secretary Remulla is saying. He just meant that he considers Ms. Gretchen Barretto a suspect because she was named by the whistleblower.) 

“I’m very confident na magkakaroon pa ng investigation at makikita na based sa sinabi ng whistleblower, wala siyang nakitang ginawa o sinabi ni Ms. Gretchen Barretto. In other words, he did not witness anything and his allegations against Ms. Barretto is based on suspicion, espekulasyon, na dapat involved siya dahil siya ay malapit kay Mr. Atong Ang,” she added. “Ang espekulasyon ay hindi ebidensya.” 

(I’m very confident that there will be an investigation and it will show that based on what the whistleblower said, he did not witness anything that was done or said by Ms. Gretchen Barretto. In other words, he did not witness anything and his allegations against Ms. Barretto are based on suspicion, speculation, that she should be involved because she is close to Mr. Atong Ang…A speculation is not evidence.) 

Malloga affirmed that Ang and Barretto are just “business partners.” 

Ang maintained his innocence. He said Patidongan and another former employee threatened to implicate him in the missing sabungeros case if he refused to give them P300 million.

Barretto said there was a similar threat and extortion attempt against her, according to Mallonga.

Further, the actress’s camp said that she was just being tagged to the issue because she’s an investor in e-sabong operations. 

“...Bakit hindi yung mga ibang investors?...Bakit si Ms. Gretchen? Kasi kilala siya at siguro mas pakikinggan yung whistleblower kung banggitin niya ang pangalan ni Ms. Gretchen Barretto,” said Mallonga. 

(Why not tag the other investors?...Why point fingers at Ms. Gretchen? It’s because she’s popular and the whistleblower might have thought that he would gain attention by mentioning the name of Ms. Gretchen Barretto.) 

“If there was really an involvement on the part of Ms. Barretto, then it would have surfaced noon noon pa. Bakit ngayon lang?”

(If there was really an involvement on the part of Ms. Barretto, then it would have surfaced a long time ago. Why just now?) 

The actress has yet to receive a formal subpoena from the DOJ, but Mallonga said Barretto will fully cooperate with authorities in the investigation.

“Ms. Barretto awaits the result of the investigation and will fully cooperate in the process. This is her priority. In the meantime, she beseeches the authorities to be fair and thorough, and for the public not to rush to judgment,” she said.

“In the end, Ms. Barretto trusts that an objective investigation will prove her lack of involvement in the case and the unfairness and falsity of the accusations against her,” she added.

Barretto is also hoping for a "thorough and objective investigation” and seeks closure, her counsel said. —Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News