Murder complaint filed vs. Atong Ang, Gretchen Barretto over missing sabungeros

After years of investigation, families of missing sabungeros on Friday said they filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) a complaint against businessman Atong Ang, the alleged mastermind identified by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan.

According to Saleema Refran's report on "24 Oras," some of the complainants confirmed that actress Gretchen Barreto and former National Capital Region Police Office chief retired Police General Jonnel Estomo were among the subjects of the complaint.

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach for comment Ang and all those included in the complaint.

Ang, Barretto, and Estomo have denied any involvement in the abduction of the cockfighters.

Ryan Bautista, sibling of missing sabungero Michael Bautista, said they filed a complaint for serious illegal detention and multiple murder, among others.

“Masaya po kami kasi makakapag-file po kami ng kaso,” Bautista said in an ambush interview. 

(We are happy because we can file a case.)

“Para kila Atong Ang po at mga kasama,” he later added.

(For Atong Ang and his companions.)

Meanwhile, Charlene Lasco, sister of missing sabungero Ricardo Lasco, also pointed to Ang and other individuals as the respondents in their complaint.

“Ang mga kinasuhan po namin syempre 'yung aming matagal na talagang hinala, si Mr. Atong Ang,” she said in a separate interview.

(We filed a complaint against the person we have long suspected to be involved, Mr. Atong Ang.)

Witness' testimony

Sought for confirmation, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said there is a witness who testified to Ang’s alleged involvement. 

“Well, mayroon namang witness who testifies to the fact that that person was involved in the commission of these crimes as the mastermind, as the head of a criminal organization, so basically we take it from that,” Remulla said.

(Well, there is a witness who testifies to the fact that that person was involved in the commission of these crimes as the mastermind, as the head of a criminal organization, so basically we take it from that.)

He later confirmed that the affidavits of Patidongan and his siblings are already included in the complaint. 

Patidongan had linked both Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearance of 34 sabungeros from 2021 to 2022. Ang and Barretto have both denied the allegations. 

'Main player'

Remulla said Ang is a “main player” in the e-sabong industry.

“Siya ang main player diyan, siya ang amo ni Totoy or Dondon. Pera niya ang pinangbabayad para sa mga trabaho na ginagawa ng mga contractor na pulis. Kaya ang mahalaga talaga dito, malitis 'to, magkaroon talaga ng trial ito on the merits,” he said.

(He is the main player there, he is the boss of Totoy or Dondon. It’s his money that’s used to pay for the jobs carried out by the police contractors. That’s why what’s really important here is for this to go to trial, for there to really be a trial on the merits.)

“Kasi nga, kahit sa kasaysayan ng ibang bansa, kapag criminal organization, napakahirap po patunayan ang mga krimen na ginawa at ginanap. Lalong lalo na kapag pinag-uusapan natin ang number one sa organization,” he added.

(Because even in the history of other countries, when it comes to criminal organizations, it is very difficult to prove the crimes that were committed and carried out. Especially when we are talking about the number one in the organization.)

Remulla said he could not confirm that Barretto is a respondent, but added that she can be considered a person of interest.

President's vow

Meanwhile, Remulla said authorities should make most of the testimony of Patidongan, who he believes is a source that was “embedded” and “deeply involved” in the criminal organization.

The filing came days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the entire government is doing everything to solve the case of missing sabungeros, noting that even those with influence, who are allegedly involved in the crime, will never be above the law.

Remulla also assured that the DOJ is fair and does not condemn without listening.

“Ang mahalaga due process, 'di ba? No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law,” Remulla said. 

For his part, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said the complaint will still undergo evaluation.

“We cannot disclose any details as to who the case is being filed against because this is just filing for purposes of evaluation,” Fadullon said in an interview.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III also declined to comment.

Dondon's siblings

Remulla also confirmed that the new witness that he previously mentioned was Elakim, one of the siblings of Patidongan. Remulla said Elakim witnessed the killing of 10 individuals.

“Siya ‘yun. Dalawa ‘yan. ‘Yung isang kapatid nandoon din. Although may conviction na ‘yung kapatid. Kaya nga nag tatago sa batas dati ‘yan. Si Elakim naman was given documents to travel by, by the principal. Ginamit sa pag alis niya sa bansa,” he said.

(That’s him. There are two of them. The sibling is also there. Although the sibling already has a conviction. That’s why he used to hide from the law. As for Elakim, he was given documents to travel by the principal. These were used for his departure from the country.)

Meanwhile, Remulla brushed off allegations that Patidongan is the true mastermind.

“Natural for them to concoct their stories. ‘Yun talaga, gawain talaga ng ano 'yan eh, ng mga abugado. Sabi ko nga, ang kalaban natin dito, kalaban namin dito, the best lawyers money can buy. Pera pera lang 'yan sa kanila,” he said.

(Natural for them to concoct their stories. That’s really what they do, those lawyers. Like I said, our opponents here are the best lawyers money can buy. For them, it’s all about money.)

Answered prayers

Following the filing, a teary-eyed Merlyn Gomez, the mother of Roel Gomez, expressed happiness that she finally has answers. 

Gomez said that it was the common wife of Roel that filed the case. However, the wife had agreed to settle, leading Gomez to continue the case.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Panginoon dahil may lumitaw po na— ‘yung mga katanungan ko sa aking isipan kung nasaan na ‘yung anak ko, kung ano na nangyari sa kanya ay nasagot na po sa pamamagitan ng whistleblower na si Patidongan,” she said.

Earlier, Ang 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.

Ang said Patidongan threatened to link him to the disappearance if he refused to pay P300 million while Barretto said she received a similar threat. –VAL/ VDV, GMA Integrated News