The camp of Atong Ang reacted to the subpoena from the DOJ.
The lawyer of businessman and gambling tycoon Atong Ang has this to say after the Department of Justice issued subpoenas.
While search operations for the cockfighting enthusiasts who went missing years ago continue, authorities have also pursued other efforts and legal processes to seek justice for the victims. Businessman Charlie Atong Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto, Retired Lt. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, and many others were dragged into the case due to the claims of whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, or alias “Totoy.”
Ang is allegedly the mastermind behind the case. The Department of Justice (DOJ) previously released an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against the alleged suspects, and previously, subpoenas were issued to Barretto, Ang, and others. This was issued ahead of the hearing, which was scheduled on September 18.
The camp of Ang reacted to this, and accordingly, this is a welcome development. Atty. Gabriel Villareal, the legal counsel of the businessman, they are not bothered by the formal commencement of the preliminary investigation.
They even see this opportunity to respond to the baseless accusations of the whistleblower, who, based on their own investigation that they cannot disclose yet, “appears to have had motive to and is the one responsible for the disappearances.”
They are also challenging Dondon to get out of Secretary Remulla’s protection and release evidence to prove his claims.
“Realizing that investigators were about to pin him down, he resorted to concocting a fantastic story putting blame on his superiors and benefactors as his easy way out of his impending imprisonment.” the legal counsel said.
He added, “The time for reckoning has come. In time, the truth about the one truly responsible for the disappearances of the ‘missing sabungeros’ will out.”
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