DOJ issues subpoena to Atong Ang, Gretchen Barretto over missing sabungeros case
The Department of Justice issued subpoenas to Atong Ang, Gretchen Barretto, and 60 other suspects in relation to the missing sabungeros case.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon told ABS-CBN News that authorities began serving the subpoenas on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and are continuing the process on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano noted that it's because there are many respondents, and that the subpoenas are being served personally.
“Ang goal po natin is to have everyone served their subpoenas by today," Clavano said in a press briefing.
Former National Capital Region Police Office chief Jonnel Estomo and 18 cops are also included in the subpoenas issued, according to GMA News.
The first hearing is scheduled on Sept. 18.
Ang’s camp responds
Ang, through his legal counsel Atty. Gabby Villareal, said in a statement released later in the day that they "meet with guarded optimism the news regarding the formal commencement of the preliminary investigation into the case."
He noted that they remain open to the opportunity "to respond frontally" to the accusations against him by whistleblower Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan, whom he claimed is "the one responsible for the disappearances."
"Realizing the investigators were about to pin him down, he resorted to concocting a fantastic story, putting blame on his superiors and benefactors as his easy way out of his impending imprisonment," the statement read. "Hinahamon ko si Dondon na lumabas na sa lido ng saya ni Secretary Remulla at patunayan niya sa pamamagitan ng ebidensya ang mga akusasyon niya. Paghandaan na rin niya panagutan ang konsikwensya ng mga kagagawan niya."
"The time for reckoning has come. In time, the truth about the one truly responsible for the disappearances of the 'missing sabungeros' will be out," it concluded.
Missing sabungeros case
Patidongan tagged Ang and Barretto as among the persons allegedly behind the abductions of missing sabungeros. He accused them, as well as Eric Dela Rosa and Celso Salazar, of being the masterminds in the case of not just 34 but over 100 missing sabungeros.
Patidongan, who said he has been working for Ang for 15 years as the chief of security of his farms and cockfight areas, alleged that Ang is the pit master's chairman. "Siya ang mastermind, at siya ang nag-uutos na talagang iligpit ang mga 'yan," he said in his interview with GMA's 24 Oras.
While he's one of the six accused in the case, Patidongan asserted that he was merely following orders from Ang.
He also claimed that Barretto was fully aware of Ang's operations in the cockfight arena.
Ang has denied Patidongan's accusations and filed cases against him and another whistleblower, Alan Bantiles, also known as "Brown," who had also tagged him in the case.
Barretto, through her legal counsel, also denied involvement in the case, noting she "has no relevant knowledge" about the disappearances.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., in his fourth State of the Nation Address, assured the public that the government is working to solve the case of the missing sabungeros.
