Retired police general and former NCRPO chief Jonnel Estomo refuted on Thursday the allegations made by whistleblower Julie Patidongan, “Alyas Totoy,” linking him to the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts and other criminal claims.
During an exclusive interview with DZRH Dos Por Dos, Estomo clarified that he was being wrongfully associated with the three main issues, including the missing sabungeros case, alleged membership in the so-called “Alpha Group,” and an accusation that he ordered the killing of a Patidongan.
“Tatlong isyu ang gusto kong i-clarify dito. Una, parang sinasabit ako sa isyu ng missing sabungeros na ‘yan. Pangalawa, ‘yong sinasabing member daw ako ng Alpha group. Pangatlo, ‘yong pinapapatay ko raw si Julie Patidongan,” Estomo said.
Estomo emphasized that the timeline of events made his alleged involvement questionable.
“Kung mapapansin natin, nangyari ang isyu na ‘yan [pagkawala ng mga sabungero] noong 2021. Parang napakaimposible because during that time, I was the regional director of Bicol Region,” he noted that the police officers implicated were based in Region IV-A CALABARZON, and not under his command.
“Para sa akin, napakalayo. Hindi ako involved sa isyu ng missing sabungeros kung totoo iyan,” the retired general affirmed.
'Alpha group membership'
Estomo also firmly denied being a member of the so-called Alpha Group, which has been linked to the now-banned online sabong operations.
“Mayroon akong dokumento na magpapatibay na ako ay hindi talaga member ng Alpha group,” he said.
He clarified that Alpha Group members were reportedly investors in online cockfighting operations, typically owning farms and breeding roosters — something he did not have at the time.
"Sa totoo lang nagtanong na rin ako, ano bang requirement maging Alpha Group. Ang requirement diyan dapat mayroon kang mga manok, mayroon kang farm," Estomo shared.
“Wala akong manok, kaya imposible talagang mangyari na ako’y maging member ng Alpha group,” he added.
He further mentioned that his only connection to online sabong was as a small-time betting station operator, after he began exploring business opportunities for retirement.
The former chief admitted he eventually tried to breed fighting cocks, but the operation was short-lived due to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s ban on online sabong.
“Actually, aaminin ko, doon pa nag-start ako na magkaroon ng breeding… pero nahinto, tinigil po ‘yan. Ang ginawa ko na lang, benta-benta na lang,” he emphasized.
Estomo clarified that he only met online sabong operator and business gaming tycoon Charlie "Atong" Ang once and had no further contact or involvement with him.
In a recent interview and his public appearance, Patidongan accused Ang of being the mastermind behind the disappearance and death of cockfighting enthusiasts.
However, Estomo also questioned the credibility of Patidongan, whom he said he does not personally know.
“Kung sinasabi niya pinapatay ko siya, pinatay niya na ang buhay ko, itong Alyas Totoy na ‘to,” Estomo said.
He also pointed out that Patidongan had already apologized and admitted in a previous statement that his claims were based on hearsay and allegedly from Atong Ang.
“Kung mapapansin niyo, binawi naman ni Alyas Totoy. Actually nag-apology pa sa akin. Ang sinasabi niya, gawa-gawa lang ni Charlie Atong Ang, so hearsay lang ang lahat ng sinasabi niya," he reiterated.
Estomo challenged Patidongan
Despite not yet being summoned by investigators, Estomo said he is prepared to defend himself in court and intends to file a case against Patidongan once the latter’s affidavit is released.
“I’m ready. Sa totoo lang, nakita ko naman hearsay lahat kaya ko naman lusutan sa Korte… inaantay ko lang ang kaniyang affidavit. Kausap ko na ang aking lawyer. I will file a case against him,” he emphasized.
He also plans to challenge the credibility of Patidongan if the Department of Justice (DOJ) proceeds with its case.
“I will question ang sinasabi ng DOJ… Para sa akin, he’s not credible.”
Estomo lamented that his decades of service, which included high-profile cases like the Percy Lapid and Roel Degamo slayings, were now being overshadowed by “fabricated” accusations.
“Kaya ako lumantad ngayon personally, nananawagan ako kay Alyas Totoy. Sana maisip mo rin kung ano ang nararamdaman ng mga taong binanggit mo ang pangalan gaya ni Gretchen Barretto,' he said.
“Kasiraan ko ngayon, parang nawala lahat ng nagawa ko for 37 years sa PNP… Pasalamat nga ako sa ating mahal na Pangulo at binigyan pa ako ng opportunity, nag-retiro ako as three-star general pero dahil dito, parang nawala lahat," the retired general noted.
He said the false accusations made by Patidongan caused emotional pain deeper than anything he had ever experienced.
“Masakit mawalan ng magulang, masakit mabigo sa pag-ibig, pero this time, mas masakit pala ito — kaladkarin ang pangalan mo na walang katotohanan, gawa-gawa,” he said.
“Nananawagan ako kay Alyas Totoy ngayon, sana itigil mo na ang kagagawa ng kwento," he appealed.
In his view, Alyas Totoy appeared to be highly skilled at fabricating stories — even dragging him into the controversy.
"Opinion ko lang ito. Itong si Alyas Totoy, para sa akin ang galing gumawa ng kwento. Pati ako dinamay dito. Para sa akin, sino paniniwalaan ko? Mas naniniwala ako kay Atong Ang. Itong si Alyas Totoy na ito, marami siyang hindi magandang record tapos sinira pa ang pangalan ko," he said.
Estomo stated that if he were to choose whom to believe, he would place more trust in Atong Ang, pointing out that Patidongan had a questionable record and had gone as far as ruining his name.
