THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has arrested the two brothers of Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, the accused-turned-whistleblower in the case of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts), over their alleged involvement in the case.
In a press conference, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said Patidongan’s siblings, Jose and Elakim Patidongan, were arrested in an operation personally led by then CIDG director Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz in an undisclosed country in Southeast Asia.
They were brought back to the Philippines on July 22.
“Tumulak no less than si General Macapaz sa lugar na iyon. Kinuha po nila ang dalawang tao na yon with no fanfare, with no ingay whatsoever because these two gentlemen are very critical sa investigation,” said Fajardo.
(No less than General Macapaz personally went to that area. They took those two individuals without fanfare, without any noise whatsoever, because these two gentlemen are very critical to the investigation.)
“Kung matatandaan doon sa isa sa mga statements ni Julie Patidongan, alias Totoy, ay may sinasabi siya na may dalawa siyang tao na magsasabi na involved doon na kilala niya na tao niya na sinasabi na nag-withdraw sa ATM doon sa may Batangas at ‘yung dalawa din na nag escort kay Michael Bautista. So itong dalawa na ito ay hindi niya binanggit na mga kapatid niya. Yan ang totoo diyan,” she added.
(If you recall, in one of the statements made by Julie Patidongan, alias Totoy, he mentioned that he had two people who could testify about the involvement of certain individuals — people he knew — who supposedly withdrew money from an ATM in Batangas, and also the same two who escorted Michael Bautista. However, he did not mention that these two were his brothers. That’s the truth.)
Fajardo said Jose was one of the two men who were captured in a video escorting Michael Bautista, while in handcuff, exiting a cockpit arena in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on April 28, 2021.
Elakim, on the other hand, was seen in a closed circuit television (CCTV) footage withdrawing from an ATM machine using a card that belonged to Melbert John Santos, who was reported missing on January 13, 2022.
Santos was reportedly last seen alive in the same cockpit arena in Laguna where Bautista was allegedly taken by Jose and another suspect.
In order to get a hold of the Patidongan brothers, a background investigation was conducted, where it was found that Jose was convicted of robbery, requiring the PNP to turn him over to the court for the return of the arrest warrant.
Elakim was charged with violation of Republic Act 6085 over the illegal use of aliases for using a passport under the name of Robert Baylon.
Fajardo said they are in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration to know how Jose and Elakim left the country.
Fajardo said Jose and Elakim are among the “missing links” in the ongoing investigation on the missing sabungero case.
“Obviously, critical ang magiging testimony nitong dalawa na ito because si Elakim Patidongan ‘yung nagwithdraw nung ATM na alam natin na pag-aari ng isa sa mga missing sabungero. So ang tanong diyan paano sa kanya napunta sa kanya ‘yung ATM? Kasama ba siya sa kumuha doon sa nawawalang si Melbert Santos at tatlo pa niyang kasamahan? May nag-utos ba sa kanya para magwithdraw at may alam ba siya asan na itong mga nawawalang missing sabungero? Ganun ka critical ‘yung kanyang participation,” she said.
(Obviously, the testimony of these two is critical because Elakim Patidongan was the one who withdrew money using an ATM card known to belong to one of the missing sabungeros. So the question is: how did the ATM card end up in his possession? Was he involved in the abduction of Melbert Santos and his three companions? Did someone order him to make the withdrawal, and does he have any knowledge of the whereabouts of the missing sabungeros? That’s how crucial his involvement is.)
“’Yung testimonya ni Julie Patidongan, hindi tayo pupuwedeng basta mag-rely sa testimony niya kasi later on, puwede niyang i-retract ito at later on pupuwedeng may mga ebidensya that may somehow contradict itong kanyang mga sinasabi. Kailangan natin iba pang testimonya to corroborate ‘yung testimonya ni Julie Patidongan. Itong dalawang tao natin (Jose and Elakim) we believe ay pupuwedeng i-corroborate dahil meron silang direct participation doon sa at least dalawang nawawalang sabungeros, which is Michael Bautista and Melbert John Santos,” she added.
(We can’t solely rely on the testimony of Julie Patidongan, because later on, he might retract it or evidence may surface that could contradict his statements. We need additional testimonies to corroborate what he’s saying. These two individuals — Jose and Elakim — we believe can provide that corroboration because they had direct involvement in the cases of at least two of the missing sabungeros: Michael Bautista and Melbert John Santos.)
Meanwhile, Fajardo defended Macapaz over accusations that he was removed as the director of the CIDG for compromising the investigation on the missing sabungeros case.
From CIDG, Macapaz was transferred to head the Soccsksargen Regional Police Office on Tuesday, July 29.
“It’s so unfair. It’s very unfair on the part of General Macapaz sa mga lumalabas ngayon na information na he is trying to muddle the investigation but in reality ‘yung mama ay nagtrabaho lamang po. Yun ‘yung storya doon,” said Fajardo.
(It’s so unfair. It’s very unfair to General Macapaz, especially with the information coming out now suggesting that he is trying to muddle the investigation — when in reality, the man was simply doing his job. That’s the real story.)
Earlier, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed receiving reports from the families of missing sabungeros that the CIDG was asking them to sign an affidavit, which includes Julie as respondents of the complaints to be filed in connection to the case.
Fajardo explained there is a need for Julie to be included as respondents in the case with the intention of making him as a state witness later on.
“So kailangan silang sampahan ng kaso bilang mga accused, kasama si Julie Patidongan, who himself admitted na alam niya itong mga nangyayari na ito. The only way para sila maging witness at madischarge as state witness, kailangan silang sampahan ng kaso at kailangan natin ipaintindi yun sa ating mga kababayan at siyempre sa pamilya po,” he said.
(So they need to be charged as accused, along with Julie Patidongan, who himself admitted that he knew about these incidents. The only way they can become witnesses and be discharged as state witnesses is if they are formally charged. We need to help our fellow citizens — and of course, the families — understand this process.)
Fajardo assured that while the PNP opted to move discreetly in its investigation on the missing sabungero case, their objective remains the same -- to resolve it and imprison those who are behind it.
“We want to assure everyone na hindi magpapagamit ang PNP kaninuman at sinuman to advance their own personal interest. Ang objective lang ng PNP ay bigyan ng hustisya ang mga nawawalang sabungero at ‘yung kanilang mga pamilya. Hindi tayo magpapaimpluwensya kaninoman. We will proceed where the evidence points us. Yun lang po,” she said.
(We want to assure everyone that the PNP will not allow itself to be used by anyone to advance personal interests. The sole objective of the PNP is to deliver justice for the missing sabungeros and their families. We will not be influenced by anyone. We will follow where the evidence leads us — nothing more, nothing less.) (TPM/SunStar Philippines)