Ex-NCRPO chief Estomo threatens to file charges vs. Patidongan

Former National Capital Region Police Office chief General Jonnel Estomo said that he would file charges against whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan if he does not retract his earlier statement linking him to the missing sabungeros case. 

According to Jun Veneracion’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, Estomo also dared Patidongan to issue a public apology to him. 

“Magpa-interview siya ulit, tapos linisin niya pangalan ko…syempre nasaktan ako, nakaladkad ang pangalan ko. Kailangan niya gawin ‘yun para marinig ng taumbayan na nagsinungaling siya,” said Estomo.

(He should be interviewed again and clear my name…Of course, I was hurt because my name was dragged into the issue. He should do that so that people will know that he’s lying.) 

Patidongan earlier claimed that Estomo is part of the businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang’s so-called “alpha” group. To recall, Patidongan previously alleged that Ang is the mastermind behind the disappearances of over 30 sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts. 

“Isa yan sa nag-uudyok kay Mr. Atong Ang na ‘Boss patayin mo na si Dondon Patidongan para matapos na ‘yung problema mo na iyan,’” Patidongan said before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) early this week. 

(He’s one of the people pushing Mr. Atong Ang, ‘Boss, just kill Dondon Patidongan so he will no longer be your problem’.) 

But Estomo said that he does not find any reason for Patidongan to link him to the case as he does not personally know “Alias Totoy.” He also said that he only met Ang once, according to the report.

“So maapektuhan ‘yung investigation ni Alias Totoy na ‘yan kasi kung ano-ano na mga pinagsasabi niya na hindi naman totoo,” said Estomo. 

(The investigation will be affected because he’s been saying things that are not true.) 

The former top Metro Manila cop also released a copy of a certification from the Pitmaster Foundation - the charitable organization of Ang’s Lucky 8 Star Quest - which states that he is not a trustee or official of the corporation, and he’s not involved in any of its activities. 

In a "Saksi" report, Patidongan said that he does not owe Estomo any public apology as he did not do anything wrong. 

"Bakit ako mag-hingi ng public apology? Wala naman ako kasalanan sa kanya. Sinabi ko lang naman na kasali siya sa Alpha," he said. 

(Why would I give a public apology? I did not do anything wrong to him. I just said that he's part of Alpha.) 

He added that Estomo should have requested for a certification from Lucky 8 and not from Pitmaster. 

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to Ang for comment on the matter. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News