Camp of Former Actress Gretchen Barretto Speaks on Missing Sabungeros Case
GRETCHEN BARRETTO – The camp of the former actress denied her alleged involvement in the case about the missing sabungeros.
Countless people were alarmed when a certain alias “Totoy” recently made his claims about the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts. It has been more than four years ago since 34 cockfight enthusiasts went missing and their families continue to call for justice. The “whistleblower” claimed that around 100 sabungeros were allegedly thrown at Taal Lake.
Recently, alias “Totoy” implicated businessman Atong Ang and former actress Gretchen Barretto in the case of the missing “sabungeros”. The camp of the Filipino-Chinese business giant who is known as one of the wealthiest people in the Philippines was quick to deny the allegations.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) previously confirmed that Gretchen is now considered a suspect in the case after the claim of the “whistleblower”. The former actress was previously linked to Ang after photos of them holding each other’s hand during a flight crossed the surface.
Then, Ang denied any romantic ties with Barretto who is the long-time partner of business giant Tony Boy Cojuangco. She and Cojuangco have a daughter. According to Ang, he and Barretto are close to each other like siblings.
Gretchen Barretto is also known to be public as allegedly an associate of Atong Ang during the peak of his e-sabong business. Following the claims of alias “Totoy”, the camp of the former actress issued a statement denying her alleged involvement in the case of the missing sabungeros.
Based on a report on GMA News, according to Atty. Alma Mallonga, the lawyer of Barretto, her client is one of the 20 investors in the e-sabong operations. The former actress is one of the “alpha members” as per her legal counsel.
However, the camp of Gretchen Barretto denied attending meetings where approvals were sought or given regarding the disappearances of the cockfight enthusiasts. The lawyer tagged it as an invention.
“She attended no meetings where approvals were sought nor given to implement the disappearances. The proposition is so absurd, it is a plain invention,” Atty. Mallonga said.
Atong Ang previously claimed that the accusation against him is allegedly for the purpose of extorting money from him. Based on the report, Gretchen Barretto made a similar claim as per her lawyer.
“In the end, Ms. Barretto trusts that an objective investigation will prove her lack of involvement in the case and the unfairness and falsity of the accusations against her,” the lawyer of the former actress said.
Recently, Malacañang spoke about the stand of Pres. Bongbong Marcos on the case of the missing “sabungeros”.