Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Actress Gretchen Barretto asserted that she had nothing to do with the case of the missing sabungeros following the dismissal of complaints against her by the Department of Justice. </p><p>Barretto, along with businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and others, were initially tagged by whistleblower Julie Patidongan in the disappearance of dozens of cockfighting enthusiasts. </p><p>In a statement issued by her lawyer Alma Mallonga, Barretto’s camp maintained that there is no truth to the accusations hurled against her.</p><p>“Thankfully, the Department of Justice agreed, ruling that the accusations were based on speculation and uncorroborated, and thus dismissed the complaint against her for lack of merit,” said Mallongan.</p><p>In the resolution, the DOJ panel of prosecutors said the evidence against the “Pitmaster Alpha Group” — which included Barretto and respondents William Ang, Lornalee C. Vingson, Richard Perez, Arman Santos, Jojo Cruz, John Capinpin, Atty. Caroline Cruz, Joey Delos Santos, Angelito Guerra, and Mayor Bernie Tacoy — was “speculative and uncorroborated. </p><p>“The Patidongan brothers merely alleged that these persons attended meetings where decisions were supposedly made to ‘punish’ cheating sabungeros,” the DOJ panel said in the resolution.</p><p>The DOJ panel noted that sworn statements showed that respondents Ret. PLT. Jonnel C. Estomo, PCol. Jacinto Rodriguez Malinao, Jr., Angelito &quot;Lito&quot; Guerra, Tady Palma, Joey Delos Santos, Arman Santos, Jojo Cruz, John Capinpin, Cesar Sulit, Ronquillo Anding, Roberto Matillano, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion, Victorino Jocosol, Herolden Alonto, Mario Leyva, Alias &quot;Tor&quot;, Hanz Flores, Edwin Tose, Allan Siaco, and Kate Villalon were merely named in the list of Patidongan but were not linked to any overt act of detaining or killing of any victim.</p><p>“The mere mention of their names without factual narration of their involvement does not meet the quantum of evidence required to establish a prima facie case,” the DOJ panel said.  </p><p>For <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/9/doj-indicts-atong-ang-on-multiple-counts-of-kidnapping-1849">Ang and the other respondents indicted </a>by the DOJ, the panel said the sworn confession of Patidongan, corroborated by other witnesses Ellakim and Jose Patidongan, firmly established that he exercised command responsibility. </p><p>“The record shows that all orders to apprehend ‘cheating’ sabungeros emanated from Ang,” the DOJ said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/4/-sana-may-hustisya-para-sa-aming-mahihirap-missing-sabungeros-kin-0926">&#x27;Sana may hustisya para sa aming mahihirap&#x27;: Missing sabungeros’ kin find hope for justice after 4 years</a></div><p>The DOJ further noted that Ang allegedly confirmed the “job done” and approved cash payments to the police team involved in the crime.</p><p>“His orders and financial support constituted indispensable inducement to commit the unlawful detentions,” the DOJ said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/11/missing-sabungeros-search-more-sacks-spotted-on-taal-s-lakebed-1327">Missing sabungeros search: More sacks spotted on Taal’s lakebed</a></div><div><iframe width="1250" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C4oyjjWMsX8" title="Atong Ang, 25 iba pa kakasuhan ng DOJ kaugnay ng mga nawawalang sabungero | TV Patrol" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Actress Gretchen Barretto asserted that she had nothing to do with the case of the missing sabungeros following the dismissal of complaints against her by the Department of Justice.</p>

Actress Gretchen Barretto asserted that she had nothing to do with the case of the missing sabungeros following the dismissal of complaints against her by the Department of Justice.

Gretchen Barretto camp says DOJ resolution proves she had no part in ‘missing sabungeros’ case

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Gretchen Barretto camp says DOJ resolution proves she had no part in ‘missing sabungeros’ case

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 10, 2025 10:49 AM PHT

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missing sabungeros

Gretchen Barretto

DOJ

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