15 cops tagged as suspects in murder of ‘sabungeros’ placed under restricted custody

National

ASIDE from gambling tycoon Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto, 15 policemen were also implicated in the murder of at least 34 sabungeros.

Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said that just like Ang and Barretto, the 15 police officers are already considered “suspects” and are already under “restricted custody.”

“They supposedly carried out the executions. They are now under restricted duty. They have to report already to designated offices to restrict them there. In order to prevent them from committing any harm,” Remulla said in a report by Philippine Star.

Remulla added that charges may be filed anytime soon against the policemen.

Investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) showed that police officers, state officials and people in the Visayas were involved in an online cockfighting or e-sabong that was ran in a “corporate set-up.”

The whistleblower, Julie Patidongan, alias Totoy, had identified Ang as the mastermind behind the disappearance and killing of more than 100 cockfight enthusiasts.

Patidongan lso implicated Barretto in the crime, alleging that the actress had knowledge and involvement in the sabungeros’ disappearance.

It was due to Patidongan’s allegations that Ang and Barretto were considered as “suspects.”

“They will be included, because they were named, so we have to include them as suspects,” Remulla said.

Both Ang and Barretto denied the allegations them,

In a statement, Barretto’s lawyer said the actress was dismayed after she was dragged into “unsubstantiated allegations.”

“Ms. Barretto regrets that she is being crucified without basis, and has become the subject of unsavory speculation based on rumor. Ms. Barretto understands the importance of resolving the case,” her lawyer, Alma Mallonga, said on Friday, July 4.