ATM user in missing sabungeros case also a witness, says whistleblower

• A man caught on CCTV using the ATM card of missing sabungero Melbert John Santos withdrew ₱30,000 in four transactions in Lipa City, Batangas
• The man used the card more than two hours after Santos and three others went missing on January 14, 2022, after a cockfight in Santa Cruz, Laguna
• PNP says identifying the man is crucial to the investigation, as he can explain how the ATM card came into his possession
• Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan revealed the man is his former close-in security and also a witness, saying he will reveal him “pag kinakailangan.”

The man caught on CCTV using the ATM card of one of the missing sabungeros is also a witness in the case, according to whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan.

As reported in Emil Sumangil’s exclusive on 24 Oras, four men—Ferdinand Dizon, Manny Magbanwa, Mark Fernandine, and Melbert John Santos—disappeared after attending a cockfight event in Santa Cruz, Laguna on January 14, 2022.

They are among the 34 sabungeros who have gone missing under mysterious circumstances.

Over two hours after the group was reported missing, a CCTV camera from a bank in Lipa City, Batangas recorded a man withdrawing money from an ATM using Santos' card.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that the suspect made four withdrawals totaling ₱30,000 from Santos’ account.

PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional – National Capital Region chief Police Colonel Randy Glenn Silvio said identifying the man is crucial.

“Once they identify the man, it would shed light on the investigation since he will be the one explaining why Santos' ATM card ended up in his possession,” he said.

Patidongan, who previously revealed key details about the case, claimed, “Yung nagwi-withdraw na yan, tao ko rin yan. Isang witness ko rin yan. Close-in security ko yan noon. Saka ko na ilabas yan pag kinakailangan.”

He added, “Malaki maitulong nyan, gawa yung ATM na yan, doon sa isa mga missing sabungero, at ang masama inutusan yan ng isang tao ko rin (para mag withdraw). Siya ang kumuha ng ATM, bago mawala ang missing sabungero.”

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

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Source: KAMI.com.gh