Lookout order issued on Atong, Gretchen, others tagged in sabungeros case

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said that an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) has been issued against individuals named by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan. 

Patidongan has implicated businessman Atong Ang as the mastermind behind the abduction of the cockfighters who were reported missing from 2021 to 2022. He also told authorities that more than 100 sabungeros were abducted, killed, and then dumped at Taal Lake.

He also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearances and the alleged killings.

“Meron naman na tayong lookout bulletin sa lahat. It’s already there. Mga binanggit ni Patidongan have been issued Lookout Bulletins already,” Remulla said in a briefing.

(We have an ILBO against everyone. It’s already there. The individuals mentioned by Patidongan have been issued Lookout Bulletins already.)

“May isang umalis ng bansa. Ewan ko lang kung nakabalik na,” he added.

(One of them left the country. I’m not sure if he has returned.)

What lookout order means

An ILBO directs the Bureau of Immigration to inform law enforcement agencies regarding the whereabouts of the individuals named in the order.

Ang and Barretto have denied the allegations against them, with Ang saying that Patidongan threatened to link him to the disappearance if he refused to pay P300 million, while Barretto said she received a similar threat.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon reiterated that the evaluation on the complaint filed by families of the missing sabungeros against 62 respondents has been completed.

“At kung sino man ‘yung mga dinemanda, padalhan ng subpoena. Ipapadala din sila ng kopya ng records ng kaso. Asahan natin na sa susunod na linggo, probably by next week we can issue the subpoenas already and the preliminary investigation will already begin,” Fadullon said.

(And whoever was charged will be sent a subpoena. They will also be given a copy of the case records. We can expect that by next week, we can probably issue the subpoenas already and the preliminary investigation will already begin.)

Complainants, respondents

According to the families, among the respondents were Ang, Barretto, and former National Capital Region Police Office chief, retired Police General Jonnel Estomo.

Fadullon also said prosecutors would look into whether there is a need to apply for a preventive hold departure order, which will prevent an individual from leaving the country.

“So we will study that if, for example, there is a basis to anticipate that any of them might abscond or leave the country, or there is that danger, then the prosecutors handling the case can apply for a PHDO,” he said. –NB, GMA Integrated News