Barretto denies hand in disappearances, ready to cooperate
Fifteen police officers who allegedly carried out “executions” in the case of the missing “sabungeros” have been placed under restricted duty, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said.
“There is already a restriction imposed on the 15 PNP personnel involved in the case,” he said in an interview with reporters.
“They have to report to offices so they remain there. This is to prevent them from causing any further harm,” he added.
Asked to clarify the nature of the cops’ involvement in the case, Remulla said they were tasked to “carry out executions” of the disappeared “sabungeros.”
Meanwhile, the camp of Gretchen Barretto denied “relevant knowledge” concerning the disappearance of the “sabungeros,” contrary to the claim of suspect-turned-whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, who previously went by the alias “Totoy.”
In a statement, Barretto’s legal counsel Alma Mallonga said Patidongan’s claim stands on plain suspicion due to the actress’ connection with gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang.
Mallonga said Patidongan has not witnessed anything to link the actress to the case.
“She (Baretto) did not operate the sabungan, had no participation in e-sabong operations that was suspended more than two years ago, and was merely an investor in the business. She attended no meetings where approvals were sought nor given to implement the disappearances,” Mallonga said in the statement.
The lawyer said Barretto was one of about 20 investors of Ang’s Pitmasters e-sabong operations who were categorized as alpha members.
“Ms. Barretto regrets that she is being crucified without basis, and has become the subject of unsavory speculation based on rumor. Wishful thinking borne out of malicious desperation and speculation are not evidence,” she added.
Mallonga said Barretto also faced a similar extortion attempt from Patidongan.
“Ms. Barretto awaits the result of the investigation and will fully cooperate in the process. This is her priority. In the meantime, she beseeches the authorities to be fair and thorough, and for the public not to rush to judgment,” Mallonga said.
“In the end, Ms. Barretto trusts that an objective investigation will prove her lack of involvement in the case and the unfairness and falsity of the accusations against her,” she added.
Meanwhile, the families of the missing “sabungeros” met with Remulla and other officials of the Department of Justice yesterday.
Their visit came after Remulla said Ang and Barreto are now considered suspects in the case after Patidongan linked them to the abductions.
“What I told them was, we entered (the investigation) three years ago, and the deadline was always yesterday. From the very start, our main problem has always been the backlog,” Remulla said.
“But we really never stopped. We’re not leaving any stone unturned to solve these cases,” he added.
For her part, Mary Joy Lopez, long-term partner of missing “sabungero” Jayson Amoroto, appealed to the DOJ to remain steadfast in its investigation and to not abandon the case.
She said families of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts strongly believe the admissions of Patidongan were true.
Maricel Ramos, a mother of one of the missing “sabungeros,” added: “We have accepted that our son is no more. We wish to see even just his bones.”
Remulla confirmed that Patidongan is now assisted by the Philippine National Police-Witness Protection Program.
As this developed, Malacañang said Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz had no prior knowledge that a key whistleblower in the “sabungeros” case would be present at a private birthday party he attended.
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro issued the statement after an undated photo surfaced this week showing Ruiz and Senator Erwin Tulfo with “Alyas Brown,” a former employee of Ang who is also a key whistleblower in the case.
“According to him, it was the birthday of a social media content creator, and if he was invited, he accepted it,” Castro said in Filipino.
“But as for anyone who was there who was invited by the birthday celebrant, he is no longer in control of that,” she added.