Relatives of missing ‘sabungeros’ hopeful as DOJ wraps up probe
State prosecutors on Tuesday submitted for resolution the multiple murder and serious illegal detention complaint against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto and 61 others, as relatives of the “sabungeros” (cockfighters) reported missing since 2021 expressed hope for justice.
“When it comes to evidence, we have our whistleblower, and everything he says is true. We’ve also seen proof, like the place where the bodies were supposedly dumped, where bones have actually been found,” complainant Ryan Bautista said, referring to Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, formerly a close aide of Ang who had turned against him.
Patidongan’s claim that the missing cockfighters were dumped in Taal Lake led to a Philippine Coast Guard search there in July.
“Although the DNA has not yet been linked, at least there is proof that there were [human] bones recovered there,” said Bautista, whose brother Michael was among the cockfighters who disappeared after joining a game in Laguna in 2021.
According to Bautista, the other relatives said they would not agree to any settlement.
“From the very beginning, back when someone tried to negotiate a settlement, we all talked and agreed that this time, since we already have a witness, no one will give in. We are all united in this. Until the end, we will fight,” he said.
‘DNA evidence’
Patidongan, who still faces kidnapping charges in connection with the disappearances, claimed the cockfighters were abducted, strangled to death, and dumped in Taal Lake by a group of policemen supposedly on Ang’s orders.
Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Raphael Niccolo Martinez said a total of 981 bones had been recovered and submitted for examination as of Oct. 12 and 887 of these were identified as human bones.
But investigators have yet to obtain DNA samples that match the recovered remains, even as the preliminary investigation into the case was concluded on Tuesday.
Martinez said “if the evidence as it stands [already] warrants a finding that there is prima facie evidence to proceed to trial, we would not need to look at the DNA evidence.”
“If the assessment by the panel of prosecutors is that there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial, given what we have on hand, there will be no need to look into the DNA evidence or to wait for the results of the DNA examination,” he said.
Refer back to CIDG
Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit said: “The panel will try to resolve the case as soon as possible within the period allowed by the rules.”
Prosecutors have up to 60 days, under DOJ rules, to resolve the case, which means a resolution could be reached before the year ends.
But Ang’s counsel, Gabriel Villareal, wants his client’s case referred back to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police.
“As I said previously, I would prefer that the case be reinvestigated. That way, we can truly find out who is really involved in the disappearance of the missing cockfight enthusiasts,” Villareal said.
He added “If we simply dismiss this case without a resolution on what really happened, I would rather that it be returned to the CIDG so they can thoroughly study and gather all the complete evidence they can find.”
Guhit said the prosecutors would consider if the case should, indeed, be returned to the CIDG. “Technically speaking, this case is pending preliminary investigation. So [the] way forward is to resolve the case—so it’s either dismissal or for filing [in court],” he said.
Possibility of dismissal
Villareal also maintained the evidence gathered so far against Ang does “not have enough credibility.”
Last month, Ang filed libel and other charges against Patidongan and an alleged accomplice of his, Alan Bantiles before a Mandaluyong court.
But on Sept. 30, the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed these charges for lack of evidence.
Guhit said if the case being resolved leads to its dismissal, the complainants may refile the charges against Ang and submit additional documents or testimonies to the DOJ.
He said of the 62 respondents, 57—including Ang, Barretto, several police officers, and members of Ang’s so-called inner circle, the Alpha Group—have submitted their counteraffidavits.
