Whistleblower claims cops got P2.5-million monthly bribe from Atong Ang’s camp

National

A FORMER aide of businessman Atong Ang has alleged that over P2.5 million in monthly bribes were given to several police officers reportedly involved in the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts.

Julie Patidongan, also known as “Dondon,” revealed in an interview with ABS-CBN News that a police lieutenant colonel whom he personally knew, allegedly received P2 million per month while another P500,000 was distributed among other officers. He identified the officers involved as holding various ranks, including lieutenant, executive master sergeant, staff master sergeant, staff sergeant, and corporal.

According to Patidongan, “P500,000 lang yan sa isang grupo. Sa isang entry P500,000 lang talaga. Ipa-paabot sa akin yan, gawa ng team leader nila ay may monthly na 2 million pesos. Police lieutenant colonel ang team leader, kumpare ko pa.”

He also denied that high-ranking officials or members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were part of the alleged scheme. He accused Ang of trying to link the NBI to the case to undermine his credibility.

“Nililink lang talaga ang NBI pero walang NBI na involved. Director Santiago ’wag kayo magpadala gawa-gawa lang yan ni Mr. Atong Ang para siraan ako sa inyo.” he said.

According to ABS-CBN News, it reached out to Ang for his comment but there was no immediate response.

Patidongan also came to the defense of Alan Bantiles, also known as “Brown,” who had been implicated by Ang in various complaints. According to Patidongan, Bantiles is innocent.

“Kinasama ng loob ko na pati yung tao na walang kasalanan dinawit niya dito,” he said.

In a sworn affidavit, however, Ang accused Patidongan and Bantiles of plotting to kidnap and kill him, extort ransom money from his family, and rob his properties. Ang also claimed that Bantiles was assigned to acquire fake passports and visas to help the group escape.

The affidavit stated that Patidongan allegedly approached Ang during the investigation to deny the accusations. Out of goodwill, Ang said he provided Patidongan with legal and financial assistance during that time. However, Ang later accused Patidongan of orchestrating a plan that included grave criminal acts, saying the group had a calculated scheme to carry out kidnapping, murder, extortion, and robbery.

Patidongan has denied all allegations and turned the tables on his former employer. He claimed that it was Ang who gave him a fake passport back in 2021 to prevent him from testifying.

“Nakarating ako ng Singapore, Cambodia, Europe gamit ang pekeng passport na pinagawa ni Mr. Atong Ang. Hinahunting na ako. Gusto lang ako makuha para ikanta ko si Mr. Atong Ang,” he said.

He confirmed that he has been under the protective custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for several weeks now and is coordinating with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to finalize his sworn statement.(Jeanette Arinque/HNU Comm Intern)