Manila: Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office: Chairperson and retired Regional Trial Court judge Felix Reyes on Wednesday denied allegations that he fixed cases for businessman Atong Ang in connection with the ongoing probe on the missing 'sabungeros' (cockfighting aficionados).

According to Philippines News Agency, Reyes rejected the claims made by whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, alias Totoy, who accused him of manipulating cases filed against Ang and allegedly traveling abroad with prosecutors and judges to do so. Reyes stated, "I categorically deny such wild accusations of Mr. Patidongan. I dare him to identify any specific case of Mr. Atong Ang or anything related to the Sabungero Case, which I understand is still pending in court, that I fixed or settled to the advantage of Mr. Ang. If Mr. Patidongan cannot substantiate his accusation of case-fixing, I ask him to shut up."

Reyes also expressed his willingness to authorize the Bureau of Immigration to release records of his international travel since his retirement from the judiciary on October 1, 2021. This, he explained, aims to clear any misconception of him traveling with legal officials. He noted the timing of the accusations, stating, "I find it perhaps, a rare coincidence that these wild accusations of Mr. Patidongan came out a day after I filed my application for the position of Ombudsman."

Reyes affirmed his readiness to cooperate with any government investigation into the allegations, emphasizing his intention to protect the integrity of the judiciary and the prosecution service from unwarranted damage.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo confirmed that Patidongan remains under PNP protective custody as a witness in the case. The PNP is actively seeking additional witnesses and investigating other potential sites, apart from Taal Lake, where the bodies of the missing sabungeros might have been disposed of. However, the police are currently withholding details about these sites.