Patidongan to file counter charges vs. Atong Ang over 'sabungeros' claims

The whistleblower in the disappearance and supposed deaths of sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts vowed Saturday to file counter charges against businessman Atong Ang, whom he has tagged as a mastermind in the case.

"Sa Monday nga sasagutin ko 'yung ano [allegations] ni Mr. Atong Ang and then mag-file din ako against sa kanya… 'Yung mga kinaso niya sa akin babaliktarin ko rin against sa kanya," said Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, alias Totoy.

(I will answer Mr. Atong Ang's allegations against me on Monday. Then I will also file counter charges against him... I'll turn the tables on him and file the charges against him as well.)

Ang had slapped Patidongan with a complaint with the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office for conspiracy to commit attempted robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, grave threats, grave coercion, slander, and incriminating against innocent persons.

Patidongan, one of the accused in the case of the missing sabungeros, had linked both Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearance of 34 sabungeros from 2021 to 2022. Ang and Barretto have both have denied the allegations.

In response, Ang said Patidongan attempted to extort P300 million from him. 

According to the police, the missing personalities were kidnapped allegedly due to match fixing or cheating in cockfighting games.

Complaint vs. cops

Also on Saturday, Patidongan told Super Radyo dzBB that he would file a complaint affidavit with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against police officers who were allegedly involved in the sabungeros' disappearances.

"Sa Lunes, pupunta ako ng Napolcom… 'Yung mga pulis na nabanggit ko ay kakasuhan ko na sa Napolcom," Patidongan said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(On Monday, I will go to Napolcom. I will file a complaint against the police officers I mentioned.)

A total of 15 policemen were placed under restrictive custody in Camp Crame, Quezon City over their alleged involvement. 

The Napolcom has conducted a probe into the cops' links to the case, even as it has urged Patidongan to submit a complaint affidavit on the matter.

Patidongan had claimed that the victims were already buried in Taal Lake in Batangas, prompting authorities to conduct dive searches in its waters. 

Sacks of bones have been recovered from Taal Lake amid the ongoing operations. The recovered bones will be tested to determine whether or not these are human remains, and if the DNA matches with the relatives of the missing individuals. — VDV, GMA Integrated News