The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed yesterday the issuance of subpoenas against gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, actress Gretchen Barreto, and 60 others in relation to the case of missing ‘sabungeros’.
In a press briefing, Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano noted that subpoenas are expected to be received within the day.
“By today, we can confirm that everybody will get the subpoena. We have not yet received the return of our process server but we were given the assurance that yesterday and today, it will be delivered and served,” he said.
Aside from Ang and Barreto, the DOJ is still verifying if e-sabong whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, his brother Elakim is included in the list of individuals to be issued with subpoena. He underscored that before the Patidongan brothers were to be discharged as state witnesses, they must first be charged in the case.
Meanwhile, Clavano explained that if the respondents fail to file a counter-affidavit, they will be considered in default such that only the complaint filed by the relatives of missing ‘sabungeros’ will be considered in the preliminary investigation and in the resolution of the panel of prosecutors.
He clarified that at the evaluation stage, what is being checked is the completeness of documents and its sufficiency as to form and substance and not the analysis of the evidence.
Likewise, he underscored that the ongoing investigation of the case will be fair and evidence-based.
“Definitely you can expect an evidence-based investigation and an evidence-based decision from the panel of prosecutors. We have no bias in this, just the truth and justice. We just hope that they use this avenue and this channel for their own personal quest for the truth. We have nothing else to do but for the truth to come out,” he said.
Meanwhile, Clavano shared that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has recovered two new skulls as the search and retrieval operations continue in Taal Lake.
“There were two human skulls that were found so we can at least say that there are two human remains that were found. It could be more,” he said.
The recovered bones shall undergo examinations and DNA testing, he added.
