LOOKOUT BULLETIN ORDER ISSUED VS ATONG ANG, GRETCHEN BARRETTO ET AL OVER MISSING ‘SABUNGEROS’

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto  and several others over their alleged involvement in the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, in a press conference on Friday, said included in the ILBO is former National Capital Region Police Office chief, retired police Lt. Gen. Jonnel Estomo and over 50 other respondents named by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alias “Totoy.”

Remulla said one of the respondents, a sibling of Ang, had already left the country before the ILBO was issued.

“May isang umalis sa bansa. Ewan ko lang kung nakabalik na,” said the DOJ Secreatry.

ILBOs direct immigration personnel to monitor a subject’s movements out of and into the country but do not authorize them to bar departure. 

Remulla also said that there is also a possibility for the DOJ to issue a Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) against the respondents should the panel of prosecutors find it necessary.

The PHDO will seek to prevent the respondents from departing the country until the DOJ concludes its probe for probable cause.

On August 1, murder complaints were filed against Ang, Barretto, and several others by relatives of the missing “sabungeros” based on the testimonies of Patidongan.

Ang, Barretto, and Estomo have all denied involvement in the alleged kidnapping and disappearance of several cockfight enthusiasts who, according to Patidongan, were dumped at Taal Lake.