NAPOLCOM bares effort to ‘influence’ probe in missing ‘Sabungeros’ case

THE National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on Monday, July 21, disclosed an alleged plot by some quarters to “influence” an ongoing probe of at least 18 members and officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the disappearance and subsequent killing of more than 100 cockfight afficionados or ‘Sabungeros’ some four years ago, in the last months of the Duterte administration.

At a press conference in his office NAPOLCOM Vice Chair and Executive Officer Atty. Ralph Calinisan said information they received showed that at least “two groups” are trying to interfere with the probe. The NAPOLCOM has direct administrative control over the PNP.

“May dalawang grupo na sinusubukan tayong ayusin,” Calinisan said.

He averred the first group is linked to a ‘Bossing’ in the game fowl industry who is trying to defend “his policemen” involved in the crime.

The other group is headed by a “local government executive” whose wants to clear his name after being dragged into the mess.

Interest over the fate of the missing Sabungeros, believed to number over 100 victims in total, was revived after a whistleblower, Julie ‘Dondon/Alyas Totoy’ Patidongan, surfaced on July 2 and confirmed he already issued an affidavit implicating several known personalities to the crime.

The first disappearance was first reported in April 2021 and the incidents continued until January 2022, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) compelled to step into the picture the following month.

Patidongan claimed many of the victims were thrown into the depth of Taal Lake, an active volcano between Batangas and Cavite provinces, with the bodies placed in sacks and weighted down to prevent them from resurfacing.

Among those he named as “brains” are Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang, actress Gretchen Barreto, Eric dela Rosa and Celso Salazar.

Ang is a known gambling “wizard” and owns the country’s biggest ‘Online Sabong’ company while Barreto is being romantically linked to him. Like Patidongan, Dela Rosa and Salazar are employees of Ang.

Patidongan also implicated several policemen to the crime of whom the most prominent is retired 3-star police general, Jonnel Estomo.

All the accused have since denied Patidongan’s claims.

While Patidongan said Estomo did not actually participated in the abduction and disappearance of the victims, he said Estomo is aware of the goings on as the official is part of Ang’s so-called ‘Alpha Group.’

Patidongan said he used to be the “Chief Security” and “caretaker” at Ang’s cockfighting farms and has been with Ang for some 15 years.

He said he was forced into hiding after sensing his time is up and he has been also targeted for elimination.

Despite the accused’s denial, Patidongan said Baretto is also “100 percent” aware of Ang’s decision to allegedly murder the victims as she was always with Ang.

Patidongan also claimed he decided to surface, saying he is “confident” that Ang cannot bribe Chief PNP P/General Nicolas Torre III.

The PNP, in coordination with the DOJ, has taken custody of Patidongan.

Prior to the Calinisan’s press conference, Patidongan and several families of the ‘Desaparecidos’ were assisted by the NAPOLCOM in preparing their affidavits.

Of the 18 policemen initially implicated, 12 have already issued their counter-affidavits.

Calinisan said they would “let the evidence speak for themselves and that the Commission would not bow to “outside pressure.”
“Ang imbestigasyong ito ay isinasagawa nang may pinakamataas na antas ng integridad.

“Utang natin ito sa mga pamilya ng mga nawawala at sa sambayanang Pilipino,” the official said.