A Department of Justice (DOJ) panel has cleared actress Gretchen Barretto of alleged involvement in the disappearance of several cockfighting aficionados, rejecting claims that she belonged to a supposed group linked to the incident.
The resolution addressed accusations raised by witness Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, who previously tagged Barretto and 10 others as part of what he called the Pitmaster Alpha Group. Patidongan claimed the individuals attended meetings where decisions were made to deal with cheating sabungeros.
Prosecutors, however, said the statements were not backed by sufficient evidence. In the resolution, the panel stressed that “the evidence against the so-called Pitmaster Alpha Group is speculative and uncorroborated.”
Investigators said Patidongan “merely alleged that these persons attended meetings where decisions were supposed to be made to ‘punish’ cheating sabungeros.”
The DOJ also noted a lack of proof that Barretto or the others ordered or took part in the abductions. “However, there is no showing that they gave direct orders, participated in logistics, or had knowledge of the specific abductions. Their alleged ‘approval‘ during meetings was unsupported by any document, recording, or independent witness,” the resolution stated.
