Atong Ang insisted: “I had nothing to do with it.” But Gretchen’s reaction seemed to reveal that Atong was lying. Suspecting that Gretchen had betrayed her, she immediately blamed and laid all the blame on her!

A heated tension has developed between businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto after their names surfaced in the investigation of the missing sabangeros. While Atong adamantly denied any involvement in the case, a simple reaction from Gretchen ignited greater suspicion—and the possible collapse of a believed alliance.

In an interview this week, Atong bluntly said:

“I had nothing to do with the disappearance of the sabangeros. I know nothing about the alleged operations. I don’t know them.”

This statement seemed solid, if not for Gretchen’s reaction in a subsequent interview where she was asked if she believed what Atong said. Instead of directly supporting her friend, she simply bowed, forced a smile, and replied with a line that stirred up a lot of discussion:

“The truth, even if you don’t look for it, comes out on its own.”

The clip immediately went viral. On social media, comments and speculation began to pour in. For many netizens, it seemed like Gretchen knew something she wasn’t saying yet. Her indirect support for Atong’s statement was seen by some as a sign of a rift in their relationship—or worse, a kind of betrayal.

After this issue spread, Atong once again appeared before the media, but this time, his tone changed noticeably. Previously calm and confident, he now seemed agitated—and in a sudden statement, he seemed to point to Gretchen as having a bigger role in everything.

“I don’t know who they’re talking to, but maybe you should just ask the people close to them. I just used my name—maybe someone else is operating behind my back.”

Although no name was mentioned, many believe that the person he was referring to “close to them” was none other than Gretchen Barretto. In recent years, they have often been seen together at high-profile events, charity works, and personal occasions. So the sudden release of words tinged with regret caused a public uproar.

There are also reports that Gretchen has been summoned for another round of questioning by investigators. It is not yet clear if this is part of the regular process, or if there is new evidence against her. But the silence that has enveloped her camp only increases the tension.

Netizens, on the other hand, are divided in their opinions:
— “It seems like Gretchen really knows something. Her smile seems like she’s hiding something.”
— “If Atong isn’t around, why does it seem like she’s the one being taught now?”
— “They both know something. But one of them lets go first.”

Amidst all this, it remains a mystery who is telling the truth, and who is starting to save themselves . The issue of the disappearance of the sabangeros continues to haunt the minds of the people, and now that there seems to be a rift between Atong and Gretchen, the possibility that some big names will have to be held accountable becomes even more striking.

How long will the truth remain hidden? And who will be the first to admit—or be the first to be revealed by his partner? Time is ticking, and the masks are falling off one by one.