Law firm withdraws as counsel of missing 'sabungeros' whistleblower

The law firm of accused and now whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan has withdrawn as his legal counsel in the case of "missing sabungeros" pending before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC), the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Monday, July 15.

- By JEFFREY DAMICOG and AARON RECUENCO

The withdrawal of the law firm as far as Patidongan's case is concerned was confirmed by DOJ Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon in an interview with journalists.

Thus, Fadullon said "we have to see who will represent Patidongan when he appears or is asked to appear in court this coming July 22."

Patidongan and five other accused are facing before Manila RTC Branch 185 six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in connection with the 2022 disappearance of six "sabungeros" who were enroute to the cockfight venue Manila Arena from Tanay, Rizal.