MANILA, Philippines — The retired police general who allegedly wanted to kill whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan (alias Totoy) denied being involved in the abduction of cockfighting aficionados (sabungeros).
During his appearance before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Monday, Patidongan tagged retired Lt. Gen. Jonnel Estomo as an “Alpha member” of the Pitmaster cockfighting group.
“I categorically deny my involvement in any manner, and I will present evidence to clear my name because my name being involved has no adequate proof,” Estomo said in a statement on Tuesday.
“While I won’t get ahead of any investigation, I believe that only the truth, not words from other people, should prevail in seeking justice,” he stressed.
“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,” the retired police general added.
Estomo was National Capital Region Police Office director from August 2022 to February 2023.
In an interview over GMA News last June, Patidongan claimed that businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, who runs the Pitmaster cockfighting group, had police officers on his payroll to kidnap and kill the sabungeros.
He appeared before Napolcom on Monday to file an affidavit-complaint against 18 police officers allegedly involved in the abductions and killings.
Estomo directly addressed Patidongan, “To address his defamations of my character and reputation, my lawyers are...
By Daniel Dale, CNN (CNN) — President Donald Trump made some false claims to the press while meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Monday, including a long-debu...