'Totoy' to file charges vs cops linked to missing sabungeros

Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as Totoy, revealed on Saturday that he intends to file a complaint affidavit against police officers allegedly involved in the abduction and killing of missing sabungeros.

In a radio interview, Patidongan said he will visit the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on Monday to formally lodge his complaint against the policemen he claims participated in the disappearances.

Last week, NAPOLCOM Vice Chairperson Atty. Rafael Calinisan publicly encouraged Patidongan to submit a sworn complaint so that the commission could move forward with its administrative investigation. The agency earlier confirmed it had identified police officers allegedly linked to the case of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts who vanished between 2021 and 2022.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has admitted placing 15 officers under restrictive custody at Camp Crame due to Patidongan’s claims. Some of them were allegedly receiving up to ₱2 million in monthly payola from businessman Atong Ang, whom Patidongan identified as one of the masterminds behind the abductions.

Patidongan also claimed during the interview that one of the officers still in active service owns a fishpond in Taal Lake, where he believes the missing sabungeros were brought and executed.

“Because there were so many of the missing sabungeros, they had to do the killing quick and possibly their bodies were chopped and put sand as added weight,” Patidongan said.

Calinisan confirmed that another potential witness with ties to Patidongan had come forward and shared new information or feelers related to the case.

Patidongan earlier linked Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearances—allegations both have denied. Police believe the missing sabungeros may have been abducted due to suspicions of match fixing in cockfights.

The Philippine Coast Guard recently discovered and retrieved a sack containing what appeared to be burned human bones from the bottom of Taal Lake in Laurel, Batangas. Technical divers have since recovered additional sacks from the lakebed.