Sabungeros whistleblower Julie Patidongan, brother now state witnesses

Whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan and his brother, Ellakim, have been admitted as state witnesses in some cases involving missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts under the Department of Justice (DOJ) Witness Protection Program (WPP).

In a 120-page resolution, the DOJ cleared Patidongan and Ellakim of the charges against them in connection to the complaint filed by families of missing sabungeros with the DOJ.

"[T]he DOJ dismissed the charges against Patidongan and Ellakim Patidongan as they have been admitted as state witnesses by the DOJ Witness Protection Program," the panel of prosecutors said.

The complaint was for serious illegal detention and multiple murder, among others.

Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said Patidongan and Ellakim will not be included in the information filed with the court.

However, Patidongan is still a respondent in an ongoing kidnapping and serious illegal detention case filed with a Manila court for the alleged kidnapping of John Claude Inonog, James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, and Rowel Gomez.

Martinez said this is a separate case.

"Procedurally, as to that case, he is not automatically discharged," he said.

Under the Rules of Criminal Procedure, a regional trial court handling a case may direct one or more of the accused in a case to be discharged with their consent upon the motion of the prosecution, so they may be witnesses for the state. 

The prosecution must present evidence and the sworn statement of each proposed state witness in support of the discharge.

Should the accused be discharged, this will be considered an acquittal.

READ: What does it take to be a state witness?

In its ruling, 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.

The panel dismissed the complaint against actress Gretchen Barretto, former National Capital Region Police Office chief retired Police General Jonnel Estomo, and Ang’s children and relatives. — VDV, GMA Integrated News