Latest news with #Napolcom
GMA Network
12-07-2025
- GMA Network
Patidongan to file counter charges vs. Atong Ang over 'sabungeros' claims
The whistleblower in the disappearance and supposed deaths of sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts vowed Saturday to file counter charges against businessman Atong Ang, whom he has tagged as a mastermind in the case. "Sa Monday nga sasagutin ko 'yung ano [allegations] ni Mr. Atong Ang and then mag-file din ako against sa kanya… 'Yung mga kinaso niya sa akin babaliktarin ko rin against sa kanya," said Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, alias Totoy. (I will answer Mr. Atong Ang's allegations against me on Monday. Then I will also file counter charges against him... I'll turn the tables on him and file the charges against him as well.) Ang had slapped Patidongan with a complaint with the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office for conspiracy to commit attempted robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, grave threats, grave coercion, slander, and incriminating against innocent persons. Patidongan, one of the accused in the case of the missing sabungeros, had linked both Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearance of 34 sabungeros from 2021 to 2022. Ang and Barretto have both have denied the allegations. In response, Ang said Patidongan attempted to extort P300 million from him. According to the police, the missing personalities were kidnapped allegedly due to match fixing or cheating in cockfighting games. Complaint vs. cops Also on Saturday, Patidongan told Super Radyo dzBB that he would file a complaint affidavit with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against police officers who were allegedly involved in the sabungeros' disappearances. "Sa Lunes, pupunta ako ng Napolcom… 'Yung mga pulis na nabanggit ko ay kakasuhan ko na sa Napolcom," Patidongan said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB. (On Monday, I will go to Napolcom. I will file a complaint against the police officers I mentioned.) A total of 15 policemen were placed under restrictive custody in Camp Crame, Quezon City over their alleged involvement. The Napolcom has conducted a probe into the cops' links to the case, even as it has urged Patidongan to submit a complaint affidavit on the matter. Patidongan had claimed that the victims were already buried in Taal Lake in Batangas, prompting authorities to conduct dive searches in its waters. Sacks of bones have been recovered from Taal Lake amid the ongoing operations. The recovered bones will be tested to determine whether or not these are human remains, and if the DNA matches with the relatives of the missing individuals. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-07-2025
- GMA Network
Potential witness in missing sabungeros case sends feelers to Napolcom
Another potential witness in the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts or sabuneros has sent feelers to the National Police Commission (Napolcom), its official said on Thursday. Napolcom vice chairperson and executive officer Atty. Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the individual, who was not identified, was able to give additional information on the case. 'Importante ito dahil mayroon ding dagdag detalye na lumulutang. Suffice it to say, welcome na welcome ang kahit na sinong tao na maaaring magbigay pa ng ibang detalye o susi sa ikalulutas nitong kaso,' Calinisan told GTV's Balitanghali in an interview. (This is important because there are also additional details surfacing. Suffice it to say, anyone who can provide other details or a key to solving this case is very welcome.) According to him, the potential witness has a connection with whistleblower and co-accused Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan. Calinisan said authorities are willing to provide security for the potential witness. 'If he wants for us to secure him, of course, welcome. But I think mukhang safe pa naman siya sa kanyang kinalalagyan. Wala naman akong ganoon vibe na nakuha,' he said. (If he wants us to secure him, of course, it's welcome. But I think he still looks safe where he is. I didn't get that vibe.) 'Very creative kasi ang paraan ng pagpapabanggit sa akin ng detalye. Di ko rin maikuwento. Pero sabihin na lang natin na happy ako kung anumang creative means 'yan because at least people now are trying to give the truth and bring the truth out,' he added. (The way the details were told to me was very creative. I can't even tell you. But let's just say that I'm happy whatever that creative means are because at least people now are trying to give the truth and bring the truth out.) Calinisan noted that the decision to make the person a state witness depends on the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Napolcom has been investigating cops who were linked to the disappearance of the sabungeros for the administrative aspect of the case. A total of 15 cops are under restrictive custody at Camp Crame, Quezon City for their alleged involvement in the abduction of the sabungeros as claimed by Patidongan. The concerned police officers were assigned in support and regional units as well as in area police commands. One of them is due for retirement, while three have been dismissed. As early as January 2023, seven cops allegedly involved in the crime were initially dismissed from the service. Some of the 15 cops in restrictive custody were included in the alleged up to P2 million monthly payola from Atong Ang, who was among the supposed masterminds in the disappearances, as claimed by Patidongan. 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. —GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
02-07-2025
- Filipino Times
Atong Ang, Gretchen Barretto linked to missing sabungero Case, says accused
Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan, a suspect in the disappearance of over 30 cockfighting enthusiasts, has accused businessman Charlie 'Atong' Ang of being the mastermind behind the abductions. In an exclusive interview with GMA News, Patidongan also implicated actress Gretchen Barretto in the case. According to Patidongan, who previously served as head of security for Atong Ang's cockfighting farm, all of the missing sabungeros have already been killed. The alleged motive behind their abduction was related to match-fixing or cheating in e-sabong (online cockfighting) operations. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has since ordered a deeper investigation, especially after reports surfaced that several police officers were involved. Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro said the President's directive is to continue the probe and hold all accountable parties responsible. 'Ipagpatuloy po ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga para malaman kung sino talaga ang sangkot at mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot,' said Castro in a press briefing. Despite allegations that powerful individuals were behind the disappearances, Malacañang emphasized its faith in the Philippine justice system. 'Naniniwala po tayo sa integridad ng ating Korte at ito'y masosolusyunan ayon sa batas,' she added. The National Police Commission (Napolcom) also initiated its own investigation after alias 'Totoy,' another accused individual, revealed that up to 20 police officers were allegedly involved in the disappearances. Totoy claimed that the victims were kidnapped and buried in Taal Lake. The Philippine National Police (PNP) supports the probe. PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III said the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) would coordinate with Napolcom in identifying and disciplining the officers involved. From 2021 to 2022, a total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts were reported missing. The issue has sparked public outrage and demands for justice from the families of the victims.
GMA Network
27-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Napolcom begins probe on cops allegedly linked to missing sabungeros
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has started its own probe into the "missing sabungero case" amid claims that some police officers are allegedly involved in their disappearance. "Dahil kaliwa't kanan na yung report na merong involved na pulis na kailangan na naming mag-imbestiga... We instructed our Inspection Monitoring Investigation Service para mag-imbestiga na sa mga nawawalang sabungero," said Napolcom Vice Chair and Executive Officer Atty. Rafael Calinisan in an interview on Unang Balita on Friday. (Because of several reports that there are policemen involved, we need to investigate. We have instructed our Inspection Monitoring Investigation Service to investigate the missing sabangeros case.) The Napolcom probe comes after alias 'Totoy,' one of the accused, said that 20 police officers are involved in the kidnapping case of the cockfight enthusiasts. Totoy also said that he will name the involved persons in his affidavit. Napolcom, meanwhile, said they will coordinate with law enforcement agencies in their investigation. "We will coordinate with them, and nakikiusap nga po ako na mag-usap-usap tayong lahat," Calinisan said. (We will coordinate with them, and I urge all of us to talk.) He also explained that while other law enforcement agencies will focus on the criminal aspect of the case, Napolcom will look into filing administrative cases against the cops who may be involved. "Pero 'yung aspetong administratibo, wala pang tumitingin doon eh. Eh, 'yung administratibo, yung sa Tagalog, fit ka ba maging pulis? So yun ang trabaho ng Napolcom, kami ang pulis ng pulis," Calinisan explained. (But the administrative aspect, no one has looked into that yet. The administrative aspect, we will if see if they are fit to be a police officer. So that's the job of Napolcom; we are the police of the police.) "Bibilisan namin yung hearing sa kaso na eto, at pinapangako natin sa taumbayan that we will leave no stone unturned, kahit sino pang pulis yan, kahit ano pang ranggo niyan," added Calinisan. (We will expedite the hearing in this case, and we promise the people that we will leave no stone unturned, no matter who the police officer is, no matter what their rank.) The Napolcom vice chair also said that if proven guilty, the involved cops may ultimately be dismissed. "Kung talagang may pulis na involved, assuming meron, 'di tayo magdadalawang isip to impose the highest penalty of dismissal sa mga taong eto." (If there are really police involved, assuming there are, we will not hesitate to impose the highest penalty of dismissal on these people.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News
