Probe of complaint vs Ongpin starts Monday

Businessman Roberto Ongpin: Preliminary investigation INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Justice (DOJ) will open Monday the preliminary investigation into the complaint filed by a former employee against businessman Roberto Ongpin for alleged illegal detention.

A DOJ panel of prosecutors headed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edwin Dayog on May 26 subpoenaed Ongpin and 11 co-respondents to appear at this afternoon’s hearing.

Ongpin and the others were directed to submit their counter-affidavits in the complaint of serious illegal detention, grave coercion and robbery filed against them by, a former employee in one of Ongpin’s companies.

Aside from Dayog, the other members of the DOJ panel are Assistant State Prosecutors Juan Pedro Navera and Aristotle Reyes.

In his May 21 complaint against Ongpin and the others, Batalan—who worked for gaming firm PhilWeb Corp.—said he was held against his will for four days on Balesin Island in Polilio, Quezon, in February after Ongpin accused him of stealing money from him.

Ongpin controls the corporation that owns Balesin.

Aside from Ongpin, also summoned to appear on Monday were Michael Angelo Patrick Asperin, Josephine Manalo, Ma. Natalia Cristina Manalo Dalupan and lawyer Cliburn Anthony Orbe, all from Alphaland, another Ongpin company; lawyer Carlo Bautista of PhilWeb; and Rogelio Sulit, Jerry Penaflor, Jigsaw Cartas, Col. Gregor Mendel Panelo and Roderico Arellano Bautista, all from the Alpha Force Security Agency.

Summoned as well was Carlito Sovrebega, flight dispatcher of Alphaland who was named an accessory in the case. Batalan said he was flown to Balesin on a private plane belonging to the island resort owned by Ongpin.