DOJ eyes new probe into missing sabungeros; Atong Ang may face inclusion

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering a new preliminary investigation (PI) in connection with the ongoing Manila court case on the disappearance of several sabungeros, following whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan’s alleged revelations.

Prosecutor General Richard “Dong” Fadullon said Thursday that businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang may be included as a respondent, subject to the results of a new PI. He clarified that investigators must first determine whether sufficient evidence exists to justify Ang’s inclusion.

Fadullon was referring to the kidnapping and serious illegal detention case filed before a Manila court involving the alleged abduction of sabungeros John Claude Inonog, James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, and Rowel Gomez.

However, Fadullon declined to discuss possible scenarios for the new investigation, saying he did not want to speculate and had no details yet on the case’s progress under the Manila Arena proceedings.

He said it is best to wait for the panel to formally begin the preliminary investigation and issue a subpoena or summons to Ang.

Whistleblower Patidongan, who implicated Ang and others in the disappearances, is among the respondents in the Manila case along with five others. He has already been included as a state witness in another case related to the missing sabungeros.

But Fadullon said it was still uncertain whether Patidongan would be discharged as a respondent in the Manila case, noting that his testimony could be used in any new PI.

"I suppose so since those pieces of evidence were not available during that time when the case was filed or investigated. So that will be taken into account," Fadullon said.

He also noted that the victims’ families refiled their complaints when the cases were revived, meaning any previously unavailable evidence can still be considered. With these new pieces of information, a preliminary investigation “will necessarily have to be conducted first,” he added.

Recently, a government panel of prosecutors found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction for kidnapping with homicide and/or kidnapping with serious illegal detention. The same panel dismissed the complaint against actress Gretchen Barretto, former NCRPO chief retired Police General Jonnel Estomo, and Ang’s children and relatives.