Metro Manila, Philippines – Julie “Totoy” Patidongan, the whistleblower in the “missing sabungeros” case, is under the protective custody of the Philippine National Police, PNP chief PGen Nicolas Torre III said.
“He is already applying for the witness protection program. ‘Pag siya ay nag-qualify, itu-turnover namin siya sa DOJ (Department of Justice),” Torre said in a news conference on Monday, July 7.
[Translation: He is already applying for the witness protection program because once he is qualified, we will turn him over to the DOJ.]
Torre said the PNP has compiled “voluminous evidence” from Patidongan in previous months. He added the information has been given to the DOJ for its preliminary investigation.
He said the PNP investigation into the missing cockfighters started when he was still head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Torre also confirmed that 15 police officers tagged in the case were under “restrictive custody” pending investigation.
READ: DOJ: 15 cops on restricted duty for alleged killing of missing sabungeros
He said among those personnel linked to the case is a lieutenant colonel.
“We have partnered with NAPOLCOM (National Police Commission) for the in-depth investigation of this case to ensure transparency and impartiality and to ensure that really the ends of justice will be achieved,” the PNP chief said.
Patidongan earlier claimed that police personnel are involved in the case and the bodies of the missing sabungeros were thrown in Taal Lake in Batangas.
