MANILA, Philippines – Sabungero case whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan and her brother Ellakim Patidongan are now admitted as state witnesses in the case of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and several policemen.
“All the charges against Ellakim Patidongan and Julie Patidongan are hereby dismissed, they being admitted state witnesses by the DOJ (Department of Justice) Witness Protection Program,” read the resolution that indicted Ang and 21 others.
Under Republic Act 6981, or the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act, a person who participated in the commission of a crime can also be admitted to the program as long as he or she is not the most guilty.
Aside from being the least guilty, there must be the “absolute necessity for his testimony.” There is no other direct evidence available to properly prosecute the offense; the testimony can be substantially corroborated in its material points, and the person has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
In this case, the siblings worked as aides of Ang. Dondon, in his testimony, said he was tasked to deliver cheating sabungeros to their police cohorts for “punishment.”
Ellakim, on the other hand, was tasked with bringing blindfolded victims to Taal Lake, near a fish cage.
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