DOJ ISSUES SUBPOENAS VS ATONG ANG, GRETCHEN BARRETTO ET AL OVER MISSING ‘SABUNGEROS’

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said it issued subpoenas for businessman Atong Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto, and several others in connection with the disappearance of dozens of cockfighting enthusiasts.

Aside from Ang and Barretto, the DOJ also issued subpoenas against former National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief retired Police General Jonnel Estomo and 18 policemen.

“Subpoenas have been issued from the preliminary report given by the National Prosecution Service as against the 59 or 60 respondents in the case of the missing sabungeros,” DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said

Clavano confirmed that among those subpoenaed to give their side is gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang.

“He would have been served already with the subpoena. I’m not sure if nasama po s’ya sa first batch or sa second batch today,” he said.

The subpoenas are part of the preliminary investigation into complaints of multiple murder, kidnapping with serious illegal detention, and other related charges in connection with the lost “sabuneros.”

ANOTHER SET OF HUMAN REMAINS RETRIEVED FROM TAAL LAKE

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that it has retrieved another set of human remains from the bed of the Taal Lake, Clavano said.

“We are again coming up with an updated inventory and this will all go through the DNA testing which we have been doing since the start of the operation,” the DOJ spokesperson said.

Whistleblower Julie Patidongan earlier linked Ang and Barretto to the case of the missing “sabungeros.”

Patidogan said more than 100 cockfighting aficionados were abducted, killed, and then dumped at Taal Lake.

Ang and Barretto denied involvement in the disappearance of the “sabungeros.“