DOJ dismisses missing sabungeros complaint vs. Gretchen Barretto, others

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the complaint filed against actress Gretchen Barretto and others in connection with the missing sabungeros case.

In a 120-page joint resolution, the panel of prosecutors said that the evidence against the so-called Pitmaster Alpha Group, which Barretto was alleged to be a part of, is “speculative and uncorroborated.”

“The Patidongan brothers merely alleged that these persons attended meetings where decisions were supposedly made to ‘punish’ cheating sabungeros,” the panel said.

“However, there is no showing that they gave direct orders, participated in logistics, or had knowledge of the specific abductions. Their alleged ‘approval’ during meetings was unsupported by any document, recording, or independent witness,” it added.

The panel also said that even if Barretto and others were present during meetings where crime is discussed, it does not amount to conspiracy unless there is proof of intent and participation.

Due to this, the panel said the complaint against the group should be dismissed for lack of merit “without prejudice should future evidence arise linking them directly to the unlawful detentions.”

The decision was welcomed by Barretto’s camp, who previously said that the allegations against her were “unsubstantiated and incredible.”

“As Ms. Gretchen Barretto had steadfastly maintained, there is no truth to the accusations against her. She played no part in the case of the missing sabungeros. Thankfully, the Department of Justice agreed,” Atty. Alma Mallonga, Barretto’s legal counsel, said in a statement.

“Ms. Barretto is grateful to all those who expressed their support and who stood by her throughout her ordeal,” she added.

Meanwhile, prosecutors found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to charge businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and 21 others with kidnapping with homicide and/or kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

This stemmed from the complaint filed by families of missing sabungeros against Ang and others for serious illegal detention and multiple murder, among others. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News