After the Department of Justice dismissed allegations against actress Gretchen Barretto, she claimed she had nothing to do with the missing sabungeros case.
Whistleblower Julie Patidongan first linked Barretto, businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, and other individuals to the disappearance of numerous cockfighting enthusiasts.
Barretto’s camp insisted that the charges made against her are unfounded in a statement released by her attorney, Alma Mallonga.
“Thankfully, the Department of Justice agreed, ruling that the accusations were based on speculation and uncorroborated, and thus dismissed the complaint against her for lack of merit,” Mallongan said.
The DOJ panel of prosecutors stated in the resolution that the evidence against the “Pitmaster Alpha Group,” which comprised Barretto and respondents William Ang, Lornalee C. Vingson, Richard Perez, Arman Santos, Jojo Cruz, and John Capinpin, Atty. Mayor Bernie Tacoy, Joey Delos Santos, Caroline Cruz, and Angelito Guerra—was “speculative and uncorroborated.”
“The Patidongan brothers merely alleged that these persons attended meetings where decisions were supposedly made to ‘punish’ cheating sabungeros,” The DOJ panel stated in the resolution.
Sworn statements showed, according to the DOJ panel, that respondents Ret. Jonnel C. Estomo, PLT, PCol. Only listed on the Patidongan list were Jacinto Rodriguez Malinao, Jr., Angelito “Lito” Guerra, Tady Palma, Joey Delos Santos, Arman Santos, Jojo Cruz, John Capinpin, Cesar Sulit, Ronquillo Anding, Roberto Matillano, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion, Victorino Jocosol, Herolden Alonto, Mario Leyva, Alias “Tor”, Hanz Flores, Edwin Tose, Allan Siaco, and Kate Villalon.
The DOJ panel stated that “the mere mention of their names without factual narration of their involvement does not meet the quantum of evidence required to establish a prima facie case.”
The panel said Patidongan’s sworn confession, which was supported by witnesses Ellakim and Jose Patidongan, clearly demonstrated that he exercised command responsibility over Ang and the other respondents indicted by the DOJ.
The DOJ added that Ang allegedly approved cash payments to the police team involved in the crime and verified that the “job done.”
