Police General Nicolas Torre III, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, assured on Monday, July 14, the safety of whistleblower Julie “Totoy” Patidongan, who formally filed a complaint before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against 12 police officers allegedly involved in the abduction and killing of “sabungeros”
“We fully support him because we need his affirmation to set the ball rolling on the administrative part of this case,” Torre said in a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
The Napolcom awaited yesterday Patidongan’s sworn statement to initiate an administrative investigation against the police officers linked to the case.
“The PNP is committed to ensure his safety para maiparating natin hanggang dulo ang kaso,” Torre added.
Patidongan made his first public appearance on Monday when he submitted to Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Rafael Vicente Calinisan his complaint-affidavit against the cops that he is linking to the disappearance of over 100 sabungeros, far more than the 34 individuals missing based on the PNP tally.
He said the police officers, some of them have already retired, received tons of money to grow the cockfighting and e-sabong operations of gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang.
“Labindalawa ito at ‘yung iba retired na pero may kasunod pa ito,” he said, adding that up to 30 active and police officers may be linked to the case.
Patidongan said he also plans to file charges against retired police general Jonnel Estomo, former regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
He claimed that Estomo was part of an “Alpha Group” being handled by Ang, and was the one who recommended to have him killed when he left the businessman’s circle.
The police officers named by Patidongan have yet to air their side of the story, but Torre III previously mentioned that up to 15 cops were placed under restrictive custody due to their alleged involvement to the case.
Ang had also denied his involvement to the disappearance of the sabungeros.
The filing of the complaint by Patidongan will set in motion the administrative investigation by Napolcom to determine the liability of the police officers tagged in the high-profile case.
“Ang pinakaimportante magsisimula na ang proseso. Makakabuti iyon dahil mayroon na tayong complaint affidavit na maaaring pagsimulan ng kaso at maaaring pasagutin na natin all those allegedly involved,” Calinisan said.
After the filing of the complaint by Patidongan, the Napolcom will evaluate if it is sufficient in form.
The accused cops will then be given a chance by the Napolcom to submit their counter-affidavits and respond to the accusations hurled against them.
A series of summary hearings will be called where both Patidongan and the accused cops will be required to appear before the Napolcom.
Calinisan said the Napolcom plans to finish the administrative investigation within 60 days.
“After ng evaluation, maaaring ito’y humantong sa formal charge na isasampa sa commission proper,” he said.
Among the charges being considered by the Napolcom are grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer. (Martin Sadongdong)
