Latest news with #Elakim

GMA Network

DOJ eyes expediting process to include Patidongan in WPP

The Department of Justice aims to fast-track the process to include whistleblower and co-accused Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan in the Witness Protection Program amid the probe into the missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts. 'We want to hurry up the process para mapasok natin siya sa Witness Protection (Program),' Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a press conference on Friday. (We want to hurry up the process so that we can put him in Witness Protection.) 'Para may special funding na puwedeng pumasok para siya naman ay mabantayan pa nang husto na dedicated talaga sa kaniya. Ang trabaho ay siya ang bantayan at ang kaniyang pamilya,' he added. (So that there will be a special funding that we can use so that he can be closely monitored by a team really dedicated to him. Their job is to protect him and his family.) Remulla said Patidongan will be included in the WPP a few days after its filing in the court. Asked if Patidongan's brothers Elakim and Jose will also be included in the WPP, Remulla pointed out that Jose has a pending sentence and that the DOJ asked the latter's lawyer to study the matter. Statements Remulla said Patidongan and Elakim already provided their statements on the case of the missing sabungeros. 'Ang mahalaga rito ay si Elakim already has a statement. May statement na rin si Dondon. Kaya based on the two, matibay-tibay na 'yung kaso,' he said. (The important thing here is that Elakim already has a statement. There is also a statement from Dondon. So based on the two, the case is already very strong.) 'Pero malaking matutulong pa rin ni Jose sa bagay na ito. Kaya inaano pa rin namin, we're still working out many things para makapagbigay siya ng testimonya rito,' he added. (But Jose will still be very helpful in this matter. So we're still working out many things so that he can give testimony here.) Settlement Remulla said they received reports that some families of the missing sabungeros were offered settlement money. 'Wala pa kaming dialogue ulit pero marami silang sinettle. May balita kami na may na-settle dyan,' he said. (We have yet to hold another dialogue but we received reports that some of them were offered settlement money.) Remulla said they were unaware of the amount offered. 'The State has taken a special interest in this case kasi nga this is an issue that concerns the country and our way of life,' he said. 'Ang pinakamabigat d'yan, hindi maaaring ang taong maraming pera ang magsasabi kung sino ang pwedeng mabuhay at sino ang dapat mamatay…Wala nga tayong death penalty dito eh. Pero kung pera magdi-dictate niyan, ano na mangyayari sa lipunan natin? Kaya may interes dito ang estado nito,' Remulla added. (What is important is this: a person with a lot of money cannot dictate who gets to live or die. We don't have death penalty in the country. If money will dictate that, what will happen to our society. That's why the State has taken interest in this.) Missing sabungeros A total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts have been reported missing from 2021 to 2022. According to the police, the missing personalities were kidnapped allegedly due to match fixing or cheating in the cockfighting games. Patidongan claimed that the victims were already buried in Taal Lake. He named businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind in the case and also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearances. Both have denied the allegations. On August 1, multiple murder, serious illegal detention, enforced disappearance, direct bribery, and obstruction of justice were filed against Ang and others. Patidongan as well as the families of missing sabungeros on July 14 filed a complaint-affidavit implicating 18 cops who are linked to the disappearances before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM). On Monday, the NAPOLCOM announced it has imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on 12 involved active police officers. Six other police officers have already been dismissed. —AOL, GMA Integrated News