CIDG cops allegedly urged sabungeros kin to file raps vs. Patidongan

The family of some missing sabungeros alleged that members of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) were urging them to file charges against whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan.

 In Saleema Refran’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, one of the relatives claimed the individuals who identified themselves as cops want Patidongan to be identified as the mastermind behind the disappearances of the sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts. 

“Tumawag sa akin si ***** ang sabi sa akin according sa affidavit namin, ang kakasuhan raw po namin ay si Mr. Dondon Patidongan. Sabi ko bakit niyo po kakasuhan si Sir Dondon?”, the relative told GMA Integrated News. 

(***** called me and said that according to our affidavit, the person we'll be filing a case against is Mr. Dondon Patidongan. I asked, 'Why will you file a case against Sir Dondon?') 

“...yung sa statement pa lang po nila na papago-bago tapos ang gusto nilang palabasin na sila Sir Dondon ang may kasalanan sa lahat or sila yung mastermind,” he added. 

(...just based on their inconsistent statements, they want to make it seem like Sir Dondon is at fault for everything or that he's the mastermind.) 

However, the relatives insisted they would not sign the affidavit if Patidongan was charged, the report said. The incident reached the Department of Justice and that the service director of the PNP-CIDG has been relieved. 

“Isa ‘yan sa mga ulat sa amin na may mga kumikilos na ganyan na gustong mangyari..Kaya na-relieve ‘yung service director ng CIDG,” said Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla. 

(That's one of the reports we received, that there are individuals acting in such a way, wanting that to happen... That's why the service director of the CIDG was relieved.) 

GMA Integrated News has reached out to the PNP for its side on the issue. 

To recall, Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz was the PNP-CIDG director until last weekend. Macapaz said that they are still verifying information that there were cops who were trying to make Patidongan appear as the mastermind in the case. 

“Bine-verify pa po namin ‘yan Ma’am kasi may order nga po ang DOJ na sila lang ang pwede magsalita for the moment. Linawin muna namin Ma’am kung ano ang issue…” said Macapaz in a text message to GMA Integrated News. 

(We're still verifying that, Ma'am, because the DOJ has issued an order that only they can speak for the moment. We need to clarify the issue first, Ma'am.) 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard said it found more human bones and a skull as they resumed the search operations in Taal Lake after a week of suspension due to the severe weather. 

“May kasamang bungo ng tao at mga buto,” Remulla said. 

(There was a human skull and some bones.)

“Nandoon ‘yung ngipin eh. May ngipin na kasama…May DNA rin yun kasi parang buong-buo pa, nakakabit sa skull. Baka sa ngipin mismo, may DNA pa,” he added. 

(The teeth was there. There were teeth... It also had DNA because it seemed intact, still attached to the skull. Maybe the teeth itself still contain DNA.) 

As with the previous remains that were retrieved earlier, the latest discoveries will also undergo forensic examination and DNA collection. 

The bones were found in the location quadrants that were provided by Patidongan. 

“Makikita mo talaga reliable ang sinasabi ng ating testigo na doon nga tinatambak, tinatapon at dinispatsya ang labi ng mga taong pinapatay,” said Remulla, adding that some of the remains could be victims of the drug war. 

(You can really see that what our witness is saying is reliable—that it's indeed where the bodies of those killed are piled up, dumped, and disposed of.) — RF, GMA Integrated News