Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III rebuked lawyer Bernard Vitriolo, counsel for a police officer linked to the “missing sabungeros” case, for allegedly attempting to muddle the investigation. Torre stressed that counter-affidavits should be submitted to the Department of Justice, not the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which Vitriolo accused of ignoring affidavits from 12 witnesses.
The CIDG said it could not accept the affidavits because they were made without police investigators present, violating procedure.
Separately, Elakim and Jose Patidongan, brothers of case whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, filed an administrative complaint against former CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz and two others for misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming of an officer. They alleged that during their arrest in Cambodia in July, their phones were seized and returned without SIM and memory cards containing “important evidence.”
Julie also accused Macapaz of pressuring families of missing cockfighters to sign an affidavit naming him as mastermind instead of gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang.
Napolcom Vice Chairperson Rafael Vicente Calinisan said due process will be observed, with Macapaz given a chance to respond before deciding on formal charges.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo earlier defended Macapaz, crediting him for helping arrest what she called the “missing link” in the case. She also said Jose had a robbery conviction, while Elakim allegedly used a false name and the ATM card of a missing victim.
