Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. ordered an in-depth investigation to unmask the individuals behind a bribery attempt aimed at derailing the “missing sabungeros” case.
The move follows the arrest of two suspects – a man and a woman — in an entrapment operation in Taytay, Rizal on Monday, Sept. 15, for allegedly trying to bribe one of complainants into recanting her statement.
Nartatez confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, Sept. 17, and emphasized the urgency of identifying those who orchestrated the scheme to obstruct justice.
“I already directed the Director, CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) to conduct an in-depth investigation into this case in order to identify all those responsible for this brazen attempt to obstruct justice. There are people who ordered these two suspects and we will conduct an investigation to find out,” he said.
He further vowed, “We will unmask all those behind this attempt to bastardize our justice system, and we assure the public that we will immediately file cases against them.”
The entrapment was initiated after a relative of one of the missing sabungeros sought police assistance when she was pressured to sign an affidavit recanting her testimony previously submitted to the Department of Justice.
The suspects were apprehended near a car showroom in Barangay Dolores in a coordinated sting led by the CIDG.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert AA Morico II said the suspects were arrested after handing over the money to a relative of one of the missing sabungeros.
He said the two suspects offered a huge sum of money in exchange for the filing of Affidavit of Recantation and Desistance against key personalities and other respondents in connection with the case of the missing sabungeros.
Nartatez said the two suspects are now under the custody of the CIDG and are facing cases of violations of Grave Coercion under the Revised Penal Code and Obstruction of Justice under Presidential Decree 1829.
“This successful operation is clear proof of your PNP’s commitment to hold responsible all those involved in the interest of truth and justice,” said Nartatez.
Criminal charges that include murder and serious illegal detention were filed against businessman Atong Ang and more than 50 others following the statements made by Julie Patidongan who claimed to have direct knowledge of the case.
Ang denied the allegation and filed a case against Patidongan. (Aaron Recuenco)
