From GMA Network

By Rhianna Ramos

On Thursday, December 11, the Department of Justice (DOJ) admitted Julie “Dondon” Patidongan and his brother Ellakim into the Witness Protection Program (WPP) and dismissed previous charges filed against them in connection with the disappearance of 34 sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts).

The decision stems from the government’s efforts to hold those responsible for the disappearances, allegedly linked to e-sabong operations, accountable.

The Patidongan brothers were previously implicated in the case but are now key witnesses for the prosecution and all their charges which include kidnapping, illegal detention, and multiple murder charges.

Authorities said the brothers have firsthand knowledge of the alleged abductions and related activities, which is expected to help establish the sequence of events and identify the main suspects, including businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and other respondents.

Moreover, prosecutors also indicted Ang and 21 others for 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention, describing them as central suspects in the disappearances that occurred from 2021 to 2022.

Ang’s legal counsel, Atty. Gabriel Villareal, criticized the indictment, calling the agency’s resolution “deeply flawed and grossly unfair,” and arguing that the panel relied heavily on what he described as the questionable testimony of a lone witness.

Villareal also maintained that several individuals initially implicated were later excluded from the charges without a clear explanation, adding that Ang intends to challenge what he called “malicious and fabricated claims” made by the state witnesses.

Amid public concern regarding the involvement of a prominent figure like Ang, Malacañang assured the public that no special treatment will be given, stressing that the case has already moved to the courts after the DOJ established indisputable evidence against the respondents.

Furthermore, the DOJ said it is considering a reinvestigation into portions of the Manila docket, following motions and concerns raised by families of the missing sabungeros, who believe that several leads remain unaddressed.

DOJ spokesperson, Polo Martinez clarified that while the Patidongan brothers will not be included in the 26 counts of kidnapping to be filed against Ang and other respondents in three courts, Julie Patidongan still has separate pending cases before the Manila Regional Trial Court.

These cases include serious illegal detention and kidnapping, and Martinez noted that his status as a state witness does not automatically discharge him from those charges.