Elakim Patidongan, one of Julie “Dondon” Patidongan’s siblings, directly witnessed the killing of the 10 missing sabungeros from Sta. Cruz and Lipa, Batangas, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said.
During DZRH’s Executive Session on Saturday, August 2, Remulla revealed that Elakim’s testimony would be crucial to their investigation, citing the credibility of the so-called “missing factor.”
“‘Yong testimony nitong kapatid ni Patidongan si Elakim, ang testimony niya mabigat kasi directly niya nakita ‘yong patayan ng 10 pinatay galing sa Sta. Cruz tyaka sa Lipa [Batangas],” Remulla revealed.
“He was there. Direct witness siya. Kaya ‘yong missing factor, plus the fact na positive naman ‘yong lake sa maraming human remains makes the theory…very credible,” he added.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) had previously applied for a cyber warrant at BDO, after operatives traced an ATM transaction from one of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts. The Philippine National Police (PNP) could not identify the person at the time. However, Patidongan, known by the alias Totoy, revealed to the operatives that the person caught on CCTV footage is his brother, Elakim.
“May taong nakuha sa picture [na] nag wiwithdraw sa ATM. hindi ma-identify ng PNP until sinabi ni Dondon Patidongan, ni Totoy, na kapatid niya ‘yon. Kaya pinasundo namin siya sa Cambodia. Nabuo ‘yan, kasi kabit-kabit,” the Justice Secretary highlighted. “‘Yung dati na nakita na ebidensya, lumabas na kung sino ‘yon.”
The ‘Missing Links’
At the time of arrest, Elakim was in Cambodia. Remulla said it was Charlie “Atong” Ang who issued a fake passport to the former.
“‘Yong kapatid niya, pinasundo namin ‘yan from Cambodia. Pinatago talaga ni AA [Atong Ang] ‘yan. Pinatakbo…inisyuhan pa ng fake passport para makaalis lang. Then pinasundo natin,” Remulla said.
When asked whether the “missing links” in the investigation on the disappearances of the missing sabungeros had been completed, Remulla responded, “Mayroon pa kaming isa pang witness na inaayos pa namin. Maraming magka-come forward dyan sa tamang panahon may mga lalabas pa.”
The Justice Secretary also mentioned that the families of the missing sabungeros, Julie and Elakim Patidongan, had already filed their affidavit.
Although alias Totoy is working closely with the criminal organization, Remulla emphasized that it is a difficult case to work through.
“Madalang ang katulad ni Totoy, ni Dondon Patidongan. Madalang ‘yong ganon kalapit sa head ng criminal organization. Mahirap na kaso ho ito, kaya hindi ho ito pwedeng madaliin. Dapat ho dito preparasyon talaga,” he ended.
Last week, PNP Spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo confirmed during a press briefing at Camp Crame that two of alias Totoy’s siblings had been arrested. They are believed to the the “missing link” in the Philippine authorities’ investigation into the disappearance of the missing sabungeros.
