Atty. Bernardo Vitriolo, PMSg. Joey Encarnacion’s legal counsel is calling on the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to release the affidavits filed by Julie “Dondon” Patidongan’s men on the case of the missing sabungeros.
The legal counsel revealed in an interview at DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan on Thursday, August 14, that 12 of Patidongan’s men submitted an affidavit before the CIDG on July 11. This was intended to be included in the case folder to be evaluated by the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigating panel.
“Ito po ay sinumpaan ng 12 dating mga tauhan ng whistleblower na si Dondon Patidongan. Dito po, pinapaliwanag nila, sinasalaysay nila, na kung sino ang may kinalaman na may personal knowledge sila sa mga nangyari noong 2021 at 2022 dito sa missing sabungero na kaso po,” the lawyer explained.
Enclosed in the said document are narrations from the 12 personnel, claiming that the Patidongan brothers are responsible for the killing and abduction of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts. It also contains a recollection of each individual’s perspective on what transpired from 2012 to 2022.
Vitriolo alleged that CIDG chief PBGen. Christopher Abrahano admitted beforehand that the agency got hold of the affidavit. In contrast, the DOJ investigating panel did not receive a copy of the document. With this, Encarnacion’s legal counsel stressed that the latter needs to look into the document, citing that the DOJ needs strong and complete evidence during its investigation.
To clarify, Vitriolo said authorities are still in the evaluative stage of the investigation, adding that the affidavit needs to go through Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon’s office to determine if there is certainty of conviction or primary evidence.
“Kaya’t po andon pa lang po tayo sa stage na ‘yon kaya hindi po ito balewala [at] dapat po itong mabasa. Kung babasahin ito ng DOJ na parehas ang pag tingin or hindi sila magiging bias, impartial sila, ay mababago po lahat ang narrative ng pinapalabas ng Patidongan brothers na may mga tinuturo na mga taong inosente,” he said.
