Manila: Two individuals believed to be integral to the case of the missing ‘sabungeros’ (cockfight enthusiasts) have been apprehended and are currently under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP), as confirmed by police officials on Thursday. These individuals, identified as Elakim and Jose Patidongan, were arrested in a “Southeast Asian country” and brought back to the Philippines on July 22, according to PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo.
According to Philippines News Agency, the arrest was executed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the two men are the siblings of Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan, also known as Totoy, who has transitioned from being an accused to a whistleblower in the ‘sabungeros’ case. Brig. Gen. Fajardo noted that these arrests could represent the “missing link” in resolving the ongoing investigation.
Jose Patidongan has a criminal background, having been convicted for robbery by the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 208. Meanwhile, Elakim was detained for using a fraudulent identity-under the name Robert Baylon-on his passport upon his arrival at the airport. The CIDG strategically filed charges against them to avoid accusations of arbitrary detention, as both suspects are seen as potential state witnesses who might corroborate Julie Patidongan’s assertions.
Elakim is accused of using the ATM card of Melbert John Santos, a victim who disappeared in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, on January 13, 2022. Jose was allegedly seen in a video escorting another victim, Michael Bautista, who was handcuffed on April 28, 2021, in the same town. Former CIDG Director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz received a tip-off about the siblings’ whereabouts abroad on June 23, leading to their arrest in cooperation with the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
Fajardo emphasized the covert nature of the operation, which was not disclosed to the media to ensure the successful capture of the suspects, who are believed to be crucial in unraveling the mystery of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts. She also raised concerns that the suspects might have exited the Philippines through unauthorized channels, as one utilized an alias, prompting the BI to investigate their travel records.
Both suspects have indicated a willingness to assist in the ongoing investigation, with their testimonies being potentially pivotal. Fajardo explained that for them to be considered state witnesses, they must first face charges.
In a related development, Fajardo reported that no DNA profiles could be extracted from bones recovered from Taal Lake during a search conducted on July 30. The PNP Forensic Group disclosed that the 91 bone pieces retrieved from the lake were too contaminated, having been submerged for an extended period, rendering DNA extraction impossible.
