Two of Julie Patidongan’s siblings were arrested and are considered the “missing link” in the case of the missing sabungeros, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed on Thursday, July 31.
RH Edniel Parrosa reported that the siblings—Jose and Elakim Patidongan, brothers of Patidongan who is also known by the alias “Totoy”—are believed to be the “missing link” in the case, according to PNP Spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo during a press briefing at Camp Crame.
Earlier reports showed that Elakim was caught on CCTV withdrawing money from one of the victim’s ATM accounts, while Jose was previously seen escorting another victim.
The PNP Spokesperson revealed that the two suspects were arrested in an unnamed country in Southeast Asia around mid-July. With this, Fajardo clarified that the only way for the Patidongan siblings to be named as witnesses in the case is for them to be arrested first.
“Kailangan po sila sampahan ng kaso bilang mga accused, kasama po si Julie Patidongan, who himself admitted na alam niya po itong mga nangyayari po na ito. The only way para po sila maging witness at ma-discharge as state witness, [ay] kailangan sampahan po sila ng kaso,” Fajardo explained
Aside from the said case, Fajardo said Jose also has a warrant for robbery. Meanwhile, Elakim reportedly used a different identity for his passport. The former had already been committed to court, while the latter remains in custody of the PNP as the case build-up continues.
The PNP Spokesperson also set the record straight with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director, PBGen. Romeo Macapaz on the case of the missing sabungeros. According to Fajardo, it was Macapaz who requested to be transferred to a different unit, citing that the latter would not be promoted in his last remaining year before retirement.
Coming to Macapaz’s defense, Fajardo said the allegations against the former were unfair, especially when he is instrumental in hunting Patidongan’s siblings.
“Hindi po magpapagamit ang PNP kanino man at sinoman to advance their own personal interests. Ang objective lang po ng PNP ay bigyan ng hustisiya ang mga nawawalang sabungero at ‘yong kanilang mga pamilya,” Fajardo said.
“Hindi po kami magpapa impluwensya [sa kahit na] sinoman. We will proceed where the evidence points us,” she added.
