Ex-NCRPO chief denies role in missing sabungeros, eyes suit

MANILA, Philippines — Retired Lt. Gen. Jonnel Estomo denied he is involved in the kidnapping and disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros and vowed to file criminal cases against whistle-blower Julie Patidongan for dragging his name into the issue.

Estomo, a former director of the National Capital Region Police Office, said he would not let Patidongan off the hook easily for besmirching his reputation.

“To Mr. Patidongan, for destroying my reputation, my lawyers are already preparing cases against these malicious and baseless accusations,” Estomo said in a statement yesterday.

Patidongan, also known as Totoy, accused Estomo of advising businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang to have him killed.

Responding to Patidongan’s allegations, Estomo said he is categorically denying involvement and vowed to present his own pieces of evidence to clear his name.

“I am ready to answer any allegations at the proper forum to clear my name. I have faith in the impartial justice system and due process of the law,” he said.

Estomo said he respects calls for justice for the sabungeros and their bereaved families but stressed that it should only be based on the truth.

“While I won’t get ahead of any investigation, I believe that it should only be the truth – and not the words of just anybody – shall prevail in the search for justice,” he said.

Patidongan earlier named Ang as the mastermind in the abduction of the sabungeros, whom he said were killed and their remains dumped in Taal Lake in Batangas.

Meanwhile, six of the 91 bone samples recovered by technical divers in Taal Lake were likely from humans, according to an official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group.

In a news briefing at Camp Crame, Lt. Col. Edmar dela Torre, officer-in-charge of the Forensic Group’s DNA laboratory division, said the other bones are of non-human origins.

The next phase is cross-matching the DNA samples that would be extracted from the bones with those submitted by the families of the missing sabungeros.

So far, the PNP already has 18 samples from the relatives for possible matching.

The entire process could take up to 21 days, from examining the bones to matching the DNA samples.

Dela Torre said there are challenges to the entire process as the bones have been submerged in water for years.

Summons issued

Meanwhile, National Police Commission vice chairman and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan clarified that there are 18 police officers named in Patidongan’s affidavit, instead of the earlier reported 12.

Calinisan said summonses have already been issued to 12 active-duty police officers.

“With the filing of Totoy’s complaint, the process has now begun. This is a welcome development,” he told “Storycon” on One News yesterday.

“The Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) has found reasonable grounds to proceed with the case and has sent summons to 12 active police officers,” he added.

Calinisan confirmed the officers have five days from receipt to submit their responses. If the IMIS finds the responses insufficient, the case may proceed to the filing of formal charges.

“If formal charges are filed, the case will move forward and reach the commission en banc for final judgment,” he said.

Asked about the possibility of imposing travel restrictions, Calinisan said only the courts may issue a hold departure order.

He added that the commission may issue a preventive suspension if formal charges are filed, but only upon motion by the complainant.

NBI to help probe cops

The National Bureau of Investigation is prepared to assist in the investigation of police officers Patidongan named in his affidavit, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said yesterday.

“The NBI has the capability and experts, and we are ready to assist in the investigation,” he said in an interview over dzRH.

Asked whether the NBI would be involved in investigating Estomo, Santiago said the bureau is ready to take part if necessary.