DOJ reviews bid to indict Gretchen Barretto in missing sabungeros case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is reviewing a motion for reconsideration seeking to include actress Gretchen Barretto and several others in the indictment related to the case of the missing sabungeros.

Justice Department spokesperson Polo Martinez, speaking on Tuesday, said the motion is now under evaluation, a day after the families of the missing cockfight enthusiasts filed it on Monday.

In their motion, the families are asking the DOJ to reverse an earlier resolution that cleared Barretto of criminal liability.

They are seeking to have Barretto, along with the children and relatives of businessman Charlie Atong Ang, indicted for kidnapping with homicide and serious illegal detention.

Martinez said a panel of prosecutors will assess the merits of the arguments raised by all parties involved.

The motion challenges the DOJ’s earlier finding that there was insufficient evidence to link Barretto to the alleged crimes.

The DOJ previously ruled that mere association or presence does not amount to proof of criminal conspiracy, even as whistleblower Julie Patidongan identified Barretto as a member of the so-called “Pitmaster Alpha Group” allegedly linked to Ang.

In its earlier dismissal, the DOJ clarified that being named in connection with an accused individual does not automatically warrant an indictment.

Ang and several others were formally indicted by the DOJ on Dec. 19, 2025, after prosecutors found a “reasonable certainty of conviction” for kidnapping and homicide charges filed before three regional trial courts.

Despite the filing of the cases, Martinez confirmed that no warrant of arrest had been issued against Ang as of 5 January.

“Let me check with the panel if the court has issued a warrant. As of yesterday, [there was] wala pa warrant issued by the Court,” Martinez said.