DOJ may tap whistleblower as state witness in sabungero case

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering discharging whistleblower Julie Patidongan, one of six accused in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of missing 'sabungeros', to become a state witness.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that prosecutors will ask the court to make Patidongan a state witness, though this is still under evaluation.

Patidongan claims that businessman Charlie 'Atong' Ang is the mastermind behind the abduction and possible killing of over 100 sabungeros reported missing from 2021 to 2022.

The missing sabungeros, identified as John Claude Inonog, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, Rowel Gomez, and brothers James and Marlon Baccay, were allegedly abducted in January 2022.

The Philippine Coast Guard has conducted extensive search operations in Taal Lake, where the missing sabungeros are believed to have been buried, with significant findings reported in one quadrant after 40 days of diving.