Gretchen Barretto urged to testify vs Atong Ang in case of 34 missing sabungeros

Gretchen Barretto. Image: Instagram/@juansarte

Actress-socialite Gretchen Barretto is being urged to speak out and reveal about businessman Atong Ang’s alleged involvement in the case of the 34 missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts).

The appeal was made by Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, alias Totoy, who previously identified Ang as the alleged mastermind behind the disappearance of the cockfighters, and also alluded to Barretto’s alleged links to the case, citing their close association in the past.

“They were always together; she knows all of Mr. Atong Ang’s secrets. If by any chance Ma’am Gretchen is willing to help me, she knows who Mr. Atong Ang is,” Patidongan said in an interview with One PH.

Ang has denied the allegations and accused Patidongan and another individual, Alan Bantiles, or “Brown,” of attempting to extort P300 million from him. He filed a criminal case against them on Tuesday before the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office.

Patidongan had previously been implicated in the case of the missing sabungeros at the Manila cockfighting arena in 2022, which eventually led to a Senate investigation and a filing of a criminal complaint. Ang said he initially provided legal and financial assistance, but this support was discontinued in 2023, following the posting of bail for the six accused, until he learned of their plot to kidnap him and his family, and then kill him.

Patidongan, who used to be Ang’s farm manager and right-hand man in his cockfighting ventures, appealed to Barretto to help him expose the truth and to testify against Ang.

Barretto has yet to issue a statement on the matter. She has long deactivated her known social media accounts.

Three years since the disappearance if the cockfighters, the whistleblower resurfaced to accuse Ang of masterminding the killings of the desaparecidos, claiming their bodies were dumped in Taal Lake in Batangas.

Ang and Barretto were previously romantically linked with each other after they were frequently spotted together in several events. This, however, was denied by the actress, saying they were only business partners. The business tycoon is now dating actress Sunshine Cruz.

In November last year, Bryan Brazil’s documentary film “Lost Sabungeros,” which focuses on the case of the 34 missing cockfighters, made its premiere at QCinema. At the time, the family members vowed never to stop searching for their kin.

The documentary previously faced censorship as it was supposed to make its debut at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival in August before its screenings were axed due to “security concerns.” /edv