The camp of Gretchen Barretto on Friday denied “relevant knowledge” concerning the disappearances of online cockfighting enthusiasts, collectively known as the ‘missing sabungeros,’ contrary to the claim of e-sabong whistleblower Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan.
In a statement, legal counsel Alma Mallonga said the allegations of Patidongan—who first went by his alias ‘Totoy’—stand on plain suspicion due to Barretto’s connection with gaming tycoon Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang.
Mallonga explained that Patidongan has not witnessed anything to link the celebrity in the case.
“She (Baretto) did not operate the sabungan, had no participation in e-sabong operations that was suspended more than two (2) years ago, and was merely an investor in the business (one of about 20 investors categorized as alpha members). She attended no meetings where approvals were sought nor given to implement the disappearances,” the statement read.
As such, Mallonga said the proposition is ‘absurd’ and ‘plain invention’.
Meanwhile, Barretto expressed willingness to cooperate in the judicial process, noting it as priority while they await the results of the investigation.
The sabungeros and their families deserve to know the truth, and they deserve closure because their lives matter, she said through her legal counsel.
Wishful thinking borne out of malicious desperation and speculation are not evidence, their camp added.
Barretto, however, confirmed there was an attempt to extort her, in exchange of excluding her name from the list of suspects, but she refused because she had done nothing wrong, according to her lawyer.
The actress is confident that “an objective investigation will prove her lack of involvement in the case and the unfairness and falsity of the accusations against her.”