Retired police general tagged

Retired police general Jonnel C. Estomo has been named by whistleblower Julie “Totoy” Patidongan as among those allegedly involved in the disappearance of 34 cockfight enthusiasts in 2021 and 2022.

In a complaint affidavit filed Monday before the National Police Commission (Napolcom), Patidongan identified Estomo as part of the so-called “Alpha List” — a group of trusted individuals allegedly working with gambling operator Charlie “Atong” Ang in the operations of online sabong.

“He’s one of those trying to get to me,” said Patidongan, claiming Estomo had knowledge of and possibly played a role in the effort to silence him.

Patidongan alleged that Estomo was one of those who advised Ang to eliminate him to make the problem disappear.

He claimed Alpha members received monthly shares from online sabong profits amounting to ₱70 million, which was divided among three groups.

Estomo, who previously served as chief of the National Capital Region Police Office and later as PNP deputy chief for operations, was tagged alongside 12 active duty police officers accused of abducting and transporting the missing sabungeros to Taal Lake believed to be where the victims were dumped.

In a press conference at UP Diliman’s University Hotel before the Napolcom filing, Patidongan also accused Ang of threatening him and attempting to buy his silence. He declared that he could not be bribed by Ang who would end up spending all his money to try and stop him.

Patidongan said he came forward out of fear for his family’s safety and because the families of the missing sabungeros were depending on him to obtain justice.

At the Napolcom briefing, Patidongan reiterated that Estomo was part of Ang’s inner circle and was consulted on major decisions involving the online sabong operations. He alleged that the sabungeros were murdered by rogue police officers working for an online cockfighting syndicate after they were accused of match-fixing.

Neither Estomo nor Ang has responded to the allegations.

Decorated PNP career

Estomo, a member of Philippine Military Academy “Tanglaw-Diwa” Class of 1992, was born in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, on 25 November 1968. Known for his operational experience in Luzon and Mindanao, he has held several key PNP posts across the country.

In 2009, he was recognized for heading the Pangasinan CIDT that was named Best Provincial Unit during the PNP-CIDG’s 56th founding anniversary. He rose to become commander of the Area Police Command–Southern Luzon in 2024 before retiring.

Cops under preventive suspension

Among the police officers named in Patidongan’s affidavit were Police Col. Jacinto Malinao Jr., P/Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa, P/Maj. Mark Philip Albadilla, Field Commander Aaron Acabillan, Chief Master Sgt. Arturo de la Cruz Jr., Senior Master Sergeants Anderson Orosco Abale, Mark Anthony Madrique, Joey Encarnacion, and Reynan Policho, Staff Sgt. Alfredo Uy Andres, and P/Cpl. Angel Joseph Martin.

During a 2022 Senate hearing, then NCRPO Regional Drug Enforcement Unit chief Orapa was questioned about his ties to Ang. Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa revealed that Orapa’s wife was allegedly a shareholder in POV Security Agency Inc. which had contracts with Ang’s Pitmaster Group.

Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the 12 officers will be placed under preventive suspension while administrative charges are being evaluated.

Calinisan said that while he has yet to review the full contents of the complaint affidavit, the sworn testimony of Patidongan is enough to consider administrative cases of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer against the named officers. He said the Napolcom aims to resolve this within 60 days.

The lightest possible penalty is suspension, the intermediate penalty is demotion, and the most severe is dismissal from the service.

‘From farms to Taal Lake’

According to Patidongan, the 12 officers were allegedly involved in abducting the sabungeros from the game farms and transporting them to Taal Lake for execution. He claimed the officers were paid to carry out the operations on behalf of powerful individuals involved in the online sabong industry.

Patidongan said he was introduced to then Major Orapa by Colonel Malinao, a close friend of engineer Celso Salazar. Patidongan said this was where the plot began. He said these individuals were previously involved in so-called “clean-up” operations during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Salazar, along with Ang and Eric de la Rosa, was named by Patidongan as one of the alleged masterminds behind the disappearances. Patidongan claimed that around 30 more inactive police officers were also involved.

At this writing, none of the police officers named — including Estomo, Orapa, or Malinao — have publicly addressed the accusations.