The Division of Justice (DOJ) formally recorded a lacking individuals case with the people concerned in cockfighting and a supposed mastermind behind their abduction, Charlie “Atong” Ang.
The DOJ has filed the grievance, which is submitted on the grounds of each homicide and unlawful detention costs in opposition to Ang and a good circle of rumoured accomplices within the Phillipines.
These costs additionally relate to the killing of cockfighting bettors, often known as “sabungeros,” and the doable seclusion of a witness in Cambodia by Ang.
Ang faces homicide and unlawful detention costs
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has been closely concerned within the case that was given credence by the testimony of a whistleblower near Ang.
Julie “Dondon” Patidongan is integral to the DOJ’s progress in highlighting the doable wrongdoings linked to unlawful playing rings, as is his brother Elakim.
Julie Patidongan was the Farm Supervisor, which was an umbrella title for the administration of all of the areas operated by Ang, in line with the Manilla Occasions. On this place, they’d management over safety personnel, procurement and all different important comings and goings at these areas.
Elakim Patidongan was repatriated as a part of Remulla’s case, and he believes that the person near Ang’s internal circle can even submit key proof alongside his brother. Each brothers have now submitted affidavits.
“His (Elakim’s) testimony is the lacking issue,” Remulla mentioned. “It now makes the federal government’s principle very credible.”
Patidongan brothers key to the DOJ case
Elakim has given proof in regards to the killings as a witness and has given data, resembling the placement of human stays in Taal Lake on the island of Luzon within the Philippines.
Remulla acknowledged, “It’s uncommon for us to have a witness who is extremely positioned and embedded inside a prison group. That is very uncommon. I feel it’s the primary time in Philippine historical past that now we have one thing like this—an actual whistleblower exposing the acts of a prison group.”
Elakim has additionally given proof alongside Dondon that factors in direction of the involvement of Nationwide Police Fee (Napolcom) officers within the killings. Twelve officers have now been suspended as a part of the case, with Napolcom Vice Chairman Rafael Vicente Calinisan giving a press release on the choice.
“It is a software by the Napolcom to make sure the protection of witnesses and the integrity of the investigation,” Calinisan mentioned.
Patidongan, in line with the Napolcom assertion, has accused these officers and acknowledged they “participated in these killings and are reportedly concerned in unlawful actions alongside Charlie Ang, from whom they allegedly acquired grease or safety cash.”
Ang refutes killing claims
Ang has filed a countersuit in opposition to Patidongan and different complainants who say he orchestrated the kidnapping and killing of the bettors.
His authorized counsel, Gabriel Villareal has been public about his consumer’s framing and even commented on the “reduction” he felt that he might defend Ang in an official setting.
He mentioned, “It felt like we have been being overwhelmed at the hours of darkness, unable to reply as a result of we by no means noticed any proof. Now not less than we are able to confront the accusations head-on.”
Remulla remained stoic within the blockbuster case, saying, “This isn’t one thing that may be rushed,” he mentioned. “However we’re getting ready properly. Organized crime instances require deep, cautious work — and the reality is beginning to come out.”
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