Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, alias “Totoy,” is now under the protective custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP), as the investigation into the disappearance of over 30 “sabungeros” — cockfighting enthusiasts — gathers momentum.

“He’s currently under our protective custody,” PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed in a press briefing Monday. “But he’s already applying for the witness protection program. If he qualifies, we’ll turn him over to the Department of Justice.”

Patidongan is the central figure in the reopened case involving the disappearance of 34 men between 2021 and early 2022—cases long believed linked to e-sabong (online cockfighting) operations.

Torre revealed that Patidongan personally approached him shortly after he was appointed head of the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

“I was very shocked,” Torre said, recalling their first meeting. “That was when we realized the full weight of what we were dealing with. It strengthened our resolve to get to the bottom of this. What happened was heinous—unacceptable by any standard.”

15 cops under custody

Torre also confirmed that 15 police officers were now in restrictive custody at Camp Crame, all linked to the disappearance of the sabungeros. The list of officers, he said, came from multiple sources, including petty cash vouchers that surfaced during the whistleblower’s testimony.

The highest-ranking officer among them holds the rank of lieutenant colonel.

“These officers were assigned to different units—some in support units, others in regional offices and area police commands,” Torre said. “All of them are still in the active service, except for one who’s about to retire and three who had previously been dismissed.”

The records showed that seven of the accused officers were dismissed in January 2023 in connection with the case.

Torre also said some of the 15 cops were allegedly receiving monthly payoffs of up to P2 million from gaming tycoon Atong Ang—one of the individuals Patidongan identified as a supposed mastermind. Also tagged was celebrity Gretchen Barretto.

Ang fights back

Ang, however, strongly denied the allegations and hit back hard—filing multiple charges against Patidongan and another former employee, Alan Bantiles (alias “Brown”). The charges include attempted robbery with intimidation, grave threats, grave coercion, slander, and incriminating innocent persons.

Ang said Patidongan was the farm manager of his Pitmasters Group, which was involved in the now-defunct e-sabong platform. According to Ang, he even provided legal support to Patidongan when the latter and five security guards from the Manila Arena were implicated in the disappearance of 10 sabungeros.

But their relationship reportedly soured in 2023 when Ang said he learned of an alleged plot by Patidongan to kidnap, ransom, and kill him.

‘We won’t stop at 15’

The PNP is far from closing the case.

“There are other personalities who have been identified as the investigation progresses,” Torre said. “We already have information on their whereabouts, and we’re closely monitoring them.”

He added that if necessary, they’ll be placed under surveillance while authorities await arrest warrants. “Once those warrants are issued, we’ll move quickly to apprehend them,” Torre said.

The PNP is also working closely with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to ensure impartiality.

“We’ve partnered with Napolcom for an in-depth investigation,” Torre said. “We want full transparency and to ensure that the ends of justice will be achieved.”

He clarified that the names on the vouchers linked to the case don’t perfectly match the 15 officers currently in custody—but most do.

“Not all of them. The matches aren’t perfect. While the names aren’t an exact match, most of them are the same,” he explained.

“In the interest of fair play, we will give them a chance to answer the complaints. But one thing is sure—we will not give them a chance to play our justice system.”

Other dumping sites eyed

Torre revealed that authorities are also investigating reports that the remains of some missing sabungeros may have been dumped in locations other than Taal Lake.

“Based on our information, Taal Lake was not the only site where victims were dumped. We are looking into other places,” Torre told reporters.

He added that investigators also received tips suggesting that some victims may have been burned before being buried, adding another layer of complexity to the already grim probe.

Patidongan had claimed the victims’ bodies were dumped in Taal Lake. Torre said the PNP is preparing to search the lake thoroughly in the hope of recovering remains.

“It’s challenging, but we will do it,” Torre said. “Let’s see how far we can go with our efforts. We’ll see if our divers can do the job. If not, we will try some other means.”

NBI pushes back

Patidongan also alleged that some National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel were involved—or at least consulted—in the planning of the abductions.

But NBI Director Jaime Santiago was quick to respond, calling the accusations serious, vague, and damaging.

“He should say who they are, point them out. If he doesn’t know the names, we can line up our personnel,” Santiago said.

“My God! He needs to name who in the NBI he’s referring to. These are very serious accusations,” he added.

Santiago emphasized that he wasn’t the NBI director when the disappearances happened and he vowed full cooperation.

“If they need our forensic expertise, I’m volunteering,” he said. “Even if it’s just bones or fragments, as long as we get samples from the families, we can identify them.”