Patidongan confirms 2 brothers have important knowledge of missing sabungeros

Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan confirmed that his two brothers also have information about the case of the missing sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts as both worked for businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, who is being tagged as the alleged mastermind in the disappearances.

According to Emil Sumangil’s exclusive report in “24 Oras” on Thursday,  Patidongan claimed that his brothers Jose and Elakim were ordered by Ang to hide in Cambodia in 2022. 

“May nasaksihan siya sa patayan, kaya ‘yan pinaalis ni Mr. Atong Ang dito sa bansa. Yes, pinalayas gawa nang sila ang magwi-witness, nandoon sa kanila lahat, sila ‘yung mahalaga,” said Patidongan. 

(Since he witnessed the murder, Mr. Atong Ang wanted them to leave the country. Yes, he was ordered to leave since they were the ones who would testify; they hold all the key evidence, making them important.)

But the whistleblower alleged that Ang has another reason for sending his brothers abroad. 

“Pinapapatay ‘yan sa grupo, sa totoo lang…kaming tatlo ang susi talaga nito para malutas ‘tong problema na ito…Malaki ang maitutulong [nila] rito,” said Patidongan. 

(Honestly, they are being targeted for murder by the group... The three of us are truly the key to solving this problem. They can help a lot with this.) 

Further, Patidongan confirmed that his brother Elakim was the one caught on CCTV withdrawing money using the ATM card of one of the missing sabungeros, Merlbert John Santos. 

“‘Yung sa ATM, ‘yung nag-withdraw, isa kong kapatid ‘yan dahil inutusan nu’ng mga pulis para check-in ang account kung malaki ba ang panalo…Kung malaki ang kinita doon sa laban, utos daw ni Mr. Atong Ang na check-in kung totoo na malaki ang panalo nila…” he said. 

(Regarding the ATM withdrawal, that was one of my brothers. The police told him to check the account to see if the winnings were substantial. If they earned a lot from the fight, Mr. Atong Ang supposedly ordered them to check if their winnings were truly large.)

He added that the cop who ordered his brother to withdraw the money was one of the policemen they charged. 

However, Patidongan refuted the Philippine National Police’s accusation that his brother Jose was one of those who carried the body of missing sabungero Michael Bautista based on a video. 

“Si Rogelio Roger Burican at saka Rodelo Anig-Ig, ‘yun ang bumitbit. Bakit na twist na nila ngayon? Ang height ng kapatid ko 5’5 or 5’6. Ang binitbit nila, ‘yung si Bautista 5’5 ang height nu’n. Tingnan niyo ‘yung video, anong height nu’ng bumitbit?” he said. 

(Rogelio Roger Burican and Rodelo Anig-Ig, they're the ones who carried him. Why are they twisted the story now? My brother's height is 5'5" or 5'6". But the person they carried, Bautista, is 5'5". Look at the video, what's the height of the one who carried him?) 

Patidongan also denied that his brothers were arrested in Cambodia, saying it was the Department of Justice arranged their return to the Philippines. 

“Hindi totoo ‘yan, alam ni SOJ Remulla…wala, walang arestuhan. Pinatakas ko mismo ‘yung dalawang kapatid [ko] dahil pinapapatay ni Atong Ang doon,” he added. 

(That's not true. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla knows it... no, there were no arrests. I personally told my two brothers to escape because Atong Ang wants them dead there.) 

Meanwhile, the kin of the missing sabungeros and Patidongan met at an undisclosed location to complete their affidavits. Newly-minted PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Police Brigadier General Christopher Abrajano also arrived at the meeting, according to the report. 

“Malinaw para sa amin ang mensahe ni Gen. Abrajano na magkakaroon ng hustisya at sila’y tututok at ang direksyon ay papunta sa hustisya,” said Charlene Lasco, sister of one of the missing sabungeros. 

(General Abrajano's message is clear to us: justice will prevail, and they are committed to focusing on this, with their efforts directed towards achieving it.) 

Ang’s camp has yet to comment on the matter. But his legal team will discuss the developments soon, according to one of his lawyers. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News