PNP chief hits lawyer for ‘muddling’ missing sabungeros probe

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Thursday accused the lawyer of a police officer linked to the “missing sabungeros” case of trying to derail the investigation.

Torre slammed Atty. Bernard Vitriolo for submitting counter-affidavits to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which he said is not the proper venue. “He knows fully well the affidavits should be filed with the Department of Justice. Unless he forgot the procedures, the intent is clearly to muddle the case,” Torre said.

The CIDG earlier rejected 12 affidavits from witnesses defending the policemen, saying they were executed without police investigators present — a breach of protocol meant to ensure document authenticity.

Meanwhile, brothers Elakim and Jose Patidongan — siblings of case whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan — filed an administrative complaint before the National Police Commission against former CIDG Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz and two other officers. They accused the officials of misconduct and stealing crucial evidence from their seized cellphones during their arrest in Cambodia last July.

Julie Patidongan also alleged that Macapaz tried to coerce the families of the missing cockfight enthusiasts into implicating him instead of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang as the case’s mastermind.

Napolcom Vice Chair Rafael Vicente Calinisan said due process will be observed before deciding whether to file formal charges.

The high-profile case involves the disappearance of several “sabungeros” between 2021 and 2022, with some police officers allegedly linked to the kidnappings.