Whistleblower, families implicate cops, Atong Ang in cockfighting disappearances

Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as Totoy, together with families of the 34 missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts), filed a complaint affidavit on Monday against twelve active police officers at the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) in Quezon City.

Patidongan said the accused officers were involved in the abduction and transport of the sabungeros from cockfighting farms to Taal Lake.

Before heading to NAPOLCOM, Patidongan spoke during a press conference at the University Hotel of the University of the Philippines, insisting that Atong Ang, described as the number one gambling lord in the country, is behind efforts to stop him from revealing what he knows about the missing sabungeros.

Patidongan made clear he will not be silenced nor accept money to back off.

"Ito lang ang masasabi ko sa iyo Mr. Atong Ang. Hindi mo ako kayang bayaran ng pera mo. Uubusin ko yan, kakagastos mo sa mga koneksiyon mo," Patidongan said.
(This is all I can say to you Mr. Atong Ang. You cannot pay me off with your money. I will drain that, you will waste it on your connections.)

He said he decided to come forward because Ang had threatened to harm his loved ones.

"Pangalawa, may mga taong umaasa (families of the missing sabungero) na sa akin, na makamit ang hustisya," Patidongan said.
(Second, there are people (families of the missing sabungero) relying on me to find justice.)

At the NAPOLCOM press briefing after submitting his affidavit, Patidongan named retired former Police Maj. Gen. Jonel C. Estomo as another person who is after him.

Patidongan claimed that Estomo is part of the so-called Alpha List, which he described as Ang’s close circle for decisions related to their online sabong operations.

According to the whistleblower, the missing cockfighting enthusiasts were killed because of alleged match-fixing, and police officers working secretly for an online cockfighting operator carried out the crime.

Families of the missing sabungeros hope Patidongan’s testimony will lead to the truth and accountability for their loved ones’ disappearance.