MISSING SABUNGEROS
Whistleblower’s brothers arrested by PNP as ‘missing links’ in ‘sabungero’ case
MANILA, Philippines – Two brothers of whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who are also linked to the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts, have been arrested abroad, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed Thursday.
PNP spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo identified the suspects as Elakim and Jose Patidongan. They were apprehended in an undisclosed Southeast Asian country and brought back to the Philippines on July 22.
Elakim was allegedly caught using the ATM card of victim Melbert John Santos, who went missing on January 13, 2022, in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Jose, meanwhile, was seen in a video escorting a handcuffed victim, Michael Bautista, in Sta. Cruz on April 28, 2021.
“Napakatahimik, walang ingay, hindi natin pinaputok sa media kasi nga gusto natin makuha itong dalawang ito dahil naniniwala tayo, ito ‘yong mga missing link doon sa mga kaso ng missing sabungero,” said Fajardo in a media briefing at Camp Crame.
Fajardo said Jose has a standing arrest warrant following his conviction in a robbery case. Meanwhile, Elakim was charged upon arrival for using a different name in his passport — part of what the PNP calls a “legal strategy” to justify his detention.
“It was a legal strategy on the part of the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) na sampahan na po ng kaso iyan, otherwise, masasampahan po sila ng kaso ng arbitrary detention,” said Fajardo, addressing criticisms that authorities were being oppressive toward the suspects, who could potentially become state witnesses and support Julie Patidongan’s claims.
“The only way para po sila maging witness at ma-discharge as state witness, kailangan po silang sampahan po ng kaso,” she added.
The arrest operation was led by then CIDG Director BGen. Romeo Macapaz, in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration and under an approved case operational plan. Fajardo said both suspects expressed willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation, noting that their testimonies could be critical in solving the case.
Fajardo confirmed that Macapaz was reassigned from the CIDG to the Soccsksargen regional police, but clarified that the transfer was not connected to allegations of mishandling the case.
“It’s so unfair po, very unfair po on the part of Gen. Macapaz, sa mga lumalabas po ngayong information, na he is trying to muddle the investigation. But in reality, ‘yong mama ay nagtrabaho lamang po,” Fajardo said.
She noted that Macapaz was not the official being alluded to by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as having been relieved for bungling the case. “There is no truth na meron pong nag-request na tanggalin siya sa CIDG. It would be very, very unfair na sabihin na meron pong nag-utos kay Chief PNP para tanggalin po siya sa CIDG,” said Fajardo. “It was a personal request of General Macapaz na mailipat po siya sa ibang region po.”
Fajardo added that with his background in intelligence, Macapaz is expected to be effective in addressing smuggling operations in the Mindanao region.
