Gretchen Barretto agreed to abduction of cockfight cheaters, says Patidongan

Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan on Friday alleged that actress Gretchen Barretto was one of the individuals who agreed with the abduction of cheaters at cockfights.  

According to Emil Sumangil’s exclusive report in “24 Oras”, Patidongan said that he, Barretto, and Celso Salazar, whom he also linked in the disappearances of the 34 sabungeros, were part of the so-called “alpha” group of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang. 

The said group was composed of individuals who are close to Ang, whom Patidongan tagged as the mastermind in the case. 

Patidongan claimed that Ang asked them during a meeting if the sabungeros involved in “pagti-tiyope” or cheating should be dealt with. 

“Alam niyo naman na kasama ni Mr. Atong Ang ‘yan at saka alpha ‘yan. ‘Pag sinabing alpha, kasama sila sa nag-meeting. Kasama siya sa pumayag na walain ‘yung mga sabungero,” Patidongan said. 

(She’s always with Mr. Atong Ang and she’s an alpha member. If you’re an alpha, you are part of the meeting. She was one of those who agreed on the abduction of the cockfighters.) 

“Ngayon, isa sa tumaas ng kamay ‘yan…si Gretchen Barretto,” he added. 

(She’s one of those who raised their hands.) 

Patidongan claimed that the actress was always in the company of Ang. 

“Isa siya sa pumayag na walain ‘yung mga nag-to-tyope. Kasi sabi nga ni Mr. Atong Ang, ‘pag hindi natin gawin ‘yan, babagsak ‘yung negosyo natin. At imposibleng tututol siya, eh katabi siya mismo lagi ni Mr. Atong Ang ‘pag nag-meeting,” he said. 

(She agreed that those who were cheating must be taken. Because Mr. Atong Ang said that if they didn’t do that, their business might fail. And it’s impossible that she would disagree with him because she’s always beside him during meetings.) 

“Laging kasama ni Mr. Atong Ang ‘yan.” 

(She’s always with Mr. Atong Ang.) 

Patidongan said that he had attended similar meetings at the office in Manila Arena, which was operated by Ang’s Lucky 8 Star Quest, Inc.

It was also at the Manila Arena where six of the missing sabungeros were last seen based on CCTV footage on January 13, 2022. 

Patidongan reiterated his call to the actress to speak up on the matter. 

“Para matapos na ito, madam, tutal, tulungan mo na ako sa kaso ko dito. Maawa ka naman, makunsensya ka naman sa mga nawalang sabungero,” he said. 

(Let’s put an end to this, madam. Please help me in my case. Have some pity and conscience for the missing sabungeros.) 

GMA Integrated News has reached out to Ang and Salazar for comment. 

Barretto’s camp refuted the allegations against her, saying that she had never been part of any meeting. 

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

"Ms. Barretto regrets that she is being crucified without basis, and has become the subject of unsavory speculation based on rumor," she added.

“Ms. Gretchen Barretto has just been tagged a ‘suspect’ in the case of the missing sabungeros based on the allegations of a supposed whistleblower, but his allegations stand on plain suspicion,” Mallonga said.

Barretto’s camp further said that the actress had only heard about the disappearances and had no relevant knowledge concerning them. 

“She did not operate the sabungan, had no participation in e-sabong operations that were suspended more than two years ago, and was merely an investor in the business (one of about 20 investors categorized as alpha members).” –GMA Integrated News