Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, the whistleblower behind the explosive claims in the disappearance of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts, has alleged that two police officers involved in the case were also connected to the Duterte administration’s controversial drug war.
Speaking during a press conference at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) headquarters in Quezon City on Monday, Patidongan revealed that Police Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa and Col. Jacinto Malinao Jr. had past associations that raised red flags. He said the two were close to Engineer Celso Salazar, one of the alleged masterminds behind the case.
“Si Police Lieutenant Col. Ryan Jay Orapa ay ipinakilala sa akin noong siya ay Major pa lang ni Col. [Jacinto] Malinao [Jr.], dahil magkaibigan sila ni Engineer Celso Salazar. Doon na nagsimula ang lahat,” Patidongan said in Filipino. He did not go into further detail regarding their alleged involvement in other illegal activities.
Patidongan, who was initially one of six security guards implicated in the abduction, has since filed a complaint against 12 police officers, including Orapa and Malinao. He also continues to accuse high-profile individuals, including his former boss, businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, Salazar, and Eric Dela Rosa, of orchestrating the disappearances.
In a previous statement, Patidongan claimed the victims were strangled using tie wire before being dumped into Taal Lake, Batangas. He further alleged that officers were paid off to carry out the killings.
His revelations prompted Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan to launch a motu proprio investigation into the disturbing case that has haunted the families of the missing sabungeros for over two years.
