Nartatez tells cops to prepare for possible arrest warrant in missing sabungeros case

Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and local police units to prepare in case a warrant of arrest is issued against the accused in the case of missing sabungeros.

“The PNP has prepared security and monitoring measures to ensure peace and order once the resolution is released,” Nartatez said.

“The PNP is always ready to enforce the law once the proper judicial processes are completed. Kapag may inilabas na warrant of arrest (Once an arrest warrant is issued), the PNP will immediately act in coordination with the concerned units and the courts to ensure its proper and lawful implementation,” he added in the in the statement on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the murder complaint filed against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and other individuals over the missing sabungeros has been submitted for resolution.

“The panel declared that the preliminary investigation is already submitted for resolution...  That is after the complainant manifested that they are not filing a reply to the counter-affidavits of the respondents,” Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit said in an ambush interview.

The complaint is for kidnapping with serious illegal detention and multiple murder, among others.

A total of 57 respondents filed their counter-affidavits, including Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto, and former National Capital Region Police Office chief retired Police General Jonnel Estomo, who denied the allegations.

Following this, the panel of prosecutors will issue a resolution on whether the complaint will be dismissed or filed before a court.

A total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts have been reported missing from 2021 to 2022. According to the police, the missing personalities were kidnapped allegedly due to match fixing or cheating in the cockfighting games.

Whistleblower and one of the accused, Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, claimed that the victims were already buried in Taal Lake. According to the DOJ, around 887 human bones have been retrieved from Taal Lake as of October 21.

Patidongan named Ang as an alleged mastermind in the case.

On August 1, multiple murder, serious illegal detention, enforced disappearance, direct bribery, and obstruction of justice were filed against Ang and others.

Ang has denied the accusations against him, and his camp has expressed hope that their wish to return the complaint back to the PNP will be granted, saying the evidence submitted “do not have enough credibility.”  —VAL, GMA Integrated News