Atong, Gretchen placed under lookout bulletin

National

By MyTVCebu Desk

THE movement of gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto in and out of the country is under tight watch after an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) was issued against them in connection with the continuing invesigtation into the killings of missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros.

Also subject of the ILBO are retired Lt. Gen. Jonnel Estomo and over 50 other people, a report by Philstar said.

The ILBO was issued in line with the preliminary investigation started by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“We already have the lookout bulletin for all of them. It’s already there. All those mentioned by Patidongan have been issued lookout bulletins already,” Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said at a press conference on Friday, August 29.

Whistleblower Julie “Don-Don” Patidongan, alias “Totoy,” has filed a sworn affidavit that was among the primary basis of the relatives of the missing sabungeros in filing a complaint of multiple murder and illegal detention against Ang, several police officials and other individuals who supposedly belong to Ang’s “Alpha Group.”

DOJ National Prosecution Service prosecutor-general Richard Anthony Fadullon said the preliminary investigation will soon start following the termination of the evaluation stage.

“Probably by next week we can issue the subpoena already,” Fadullon said.

Fadullon said the DOJ Panel of Prosecutors, in the course of the preliminary investigation, is allowed to request for issuance of Precautionary Hold Departure Order from a court to prevent the respondents from leaving the country.