Sabungeros case: New witness surfaces

Another potential witness in the case of the 34 missing sabungeros has reportedly sent feelers to the authorities — signaling a further breakthrough in the long-running investigation.

This development came as self-confessed whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as Totoy, announced he is set to file a formal complaint against several police officers he accused of being behind the abduction and killing of the cockfight enthusiasts.

“I’m already working on the affidavit. On Monday, I will go to Napolcom (National Police Commission) to formally file my complaint,” Patidongan said in Filipino during a radio interview on Saturday.

Last Thursday, National Police Commission vice chairperson Rafael Calinisan confirmed that another potential witness — someone connected to Patidongan — has given additional information on the case.

Calinisan had earlier urged Patidongan to file a sworn affidavit to formalize his claims. The Napolcom has been probing the administrative liabilities of several police officers allegedly involved in the disappearances and has a list of names linked to the case.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed 15 police officers under restrictive custody in Camp Crame for their supposed role in the abductions.

Some of them, according to Patidongan, allegedly received up to P2 million monthly from gambling tycoon Atong Ang — whom he named as one of the masterminds behind the disappearances.

Patidongan also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the case, although both Barretto and Ang have denied any involvement.

During the radio interview, Patidongan claimed one of the officers still in the active service owned a fishpond in Taal Lake, where he believes the sabungeros were killed and possibly dumped.

“They were brought there. They were killed there,” he said.

Patidongan added he could no longer remember the exact number of victims dropped in the lake.

“Because there were so many of them, I can’t remember how many were thrown in. The killings were rushed… maybe their bodies were even chopped up and filled with sand so they would sink,” he said.

Last week, technical divers from the Philippine Coast Guard found a sack in Taal Lake in Laurel, Batangas containing what appeared to be burned human bones. Divers have since retrieved more sacks.

From 2021 to 2022, a total of 34 cockfight aficionados were reported missing. Police have said the disappearances may be connected to cheating and match-fixing in the now-suspended online sabong (cockfight) operations.

‘Totoy’ to file counter-charges vs Ang

Patidongan said he would be filing counter-charges against Ang.

“On Monday, I will respond to (the complaints) of Mr. Atong Ang and I will file a case against him,” Patidongan said during the radio interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Asked about the charges he intends to file, Patidongan replied, “I will return the charges he filed against me.”

Ang earlier accused Patidongan of attempting to extort P300 million from him in exchange for not implicating him in the disappearances. The complaints were filed on 3 July.

The case of the missing sabungeros has drawn national attention, with authorities still searching for the victims and investigating the alleged involvement of law enforcement officers and former and current government officials.

According to Ang, Patidongan had been managing the cock farms of the group of high-profile owners before he was implicated in the disappearance of several cockfight enthusiasts.

Patidongan is currently facing charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, along with five other Manila Arena gaming pit security personnel, in connection with the January 2022 abduction of five sabungeros and their driver.

In a televised interview with GMA News last June, Patidongan claimed that Ang had ordered the execution of sabungeros caught cheating during online matches.

Ang has strongly denied the accusations, calling them “entirely false and without basis,” and said the claims amounted to a “trial by publicity” that is causing him irreparable harm.

DoJ: Not a witch hunt

The DoJ maintained that the investigation into the missing sabungeros is neither a witch hunt nor targeted at specific individuals.

On Thursday and Friday, sacks containing what appeared to be burnt human bones were recovered in the Taal Lake when authorities started their retrieval operations in the area.

Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said that despite recent developments, the goal remains to build a strong, airtight case on the missing sabungeros — one firmly backed by solid evidence and rooted in forensic science.

He said the investigation isn’t targeting any specific individuals or groups but is purely evidence-based. “We’re focused on the work, not personalities,” he added.

“We are ensuring that it follows the case buildup rule — that it meets a high standard of evidence,” Vasquez said.

Additionally, authorities emphasized the need to elevate the standards of criminal investigation and prosecution, noting that filing a case requires more than just establishing probable cause — it demands prima facie evidence with a reasonable certainty of conviction.

Vasquez also hailed the recent development, saying the discoveries could shed light on the issues at hand.

He also vowed they would follow and check thoroughly where the pieces of evidence would be brought to them and who should be held accountable for the cockfight enthusiasts’ disappearances.

Collecting DNA samples from the families of missing cockfight enthusiasts to check against the bones already recovered is now ongoing.

Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano on Friday said it would take between 24 and 48 hours to determine if the bones are human remains. The collection began Wednesday with the families at the site of search operations.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has yet to name the team or agency that will conduct the forensic examination of the recovered bones.