CRIMINAL charges for kidnapping and serious illegal detention were filed against two suspects in the mysterious disappearance of a “sabungero” inside a cockpit arena in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on April 28, 2021.
Named respondents in the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group were Julie A. Patidongan alias “Dondon” tagged as a staff of the farm in Bgy. Palasan in Sta. Cruz and an alias John Doe.
According to PNP-CIDG director Brig. Gen. Ronald O. Lee, the criminal charges were filed before the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice.
The cases were filed based on the complaint of the wife and brother of Michael Bautista.
Bautista, a resident of San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, has been missing since April 28 last year.
Lee said Patidongan was identified as one of the two men escorting a handcuffed Bautista outside the Sta. Cruz farm.
Bautista’s wife and brother positively identified him as the man in celllphone video provided by a concerned citizen to the PNP-CIDG.
The victim was recognized through his haircut, body built as well as the clothes and bag he was wearing as seen in the video.
Bautista is among the 34 missing “sabungeros” whose case have attracted national attention and triggered the suspension of all E-Sabong games in the country last year.
Eight men have been previously charged by the police in connection with the case.
