A chilling mystery has gripped the Philippines: the disappearance of more than 100 cockfighting enthusiasts—better known as “sabungeros”—between 2021 and 2022. Now, shocking revelations point to a powerful network known as the “Alpha Group,” including celebrities, businessmen, and law enforcement officers, allegedly behind abductions and silent killings.

The saga began with a whistleblower, Julie “Totoy” Patidongan, a former security guard in the e‑sabong circuit, who came forward in June 2025 claiming that the missing sabungeros were abducted, strangled with tie wires, and dumped in Taal Lake with sandbags. Initially, authorities recognized 34 victims, but recent claims suggest the real toll could be near 100.

Totoy’s accusations didn’t just name faceless operatives—he alleged involvement of high-profile individuals within the e‑sabong system. Justice Secretary Jesús Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed that the “Alpha Group” consists of around 20 key figures, including politicians, police, and civic leaders. He also revealed there are parallel “Delta,” “Charlie,” and “Bravo” groups, suggesting a coordinated “corporate killing” operation woven into gambling profits.

Among the most explosive allegations is the involvement of a famed female celebrity—widely believed to be Gretchen Barretto. Totoy claimed she attended meetings and played a “key role” in planning the abduction strategy. Both Barretto and prominent businessman Atong Ang have been named officially as suspects by the DOJ. Defense arguments have already begun: Ang has filed slander charges against Totoy, calling the accusations extortion-driven.

But it’s not only public figures on the radar. Totoy also implicated 12 active police officers and even a retired general—Lt. Gen. Jonnel Estomo—in clandestine operations tied to the disappearances. Napolcom and DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla have vowed zero tolerance—“no sacred cows”—if evidence supports their involvement.

The search for bodies in Taal Lake is intensifying. Initial findings by the Coast Guard and PNP forensic teams uncovered bones in sacks and wire bindings—awaiting DNA confirmation from relatives. Meanwhile, forensic divers, the Navy, and Japan-funded echo-sounding technologies are being mobilized to scour the lakebed.

Families of the missing continue to advocate fiercely. They have filed complaints with Napolcom against implicated officers and are pressing for justice and transparency  For families, it’s more than a quest for truth—it’s a journey toward closure.

What makes this scandal so irresistible is its matrix of power: wealthy businessmen, entertainment figures, police, and politics—all linked by one common motive: e‑sabong money. The DOJ’s decision to name Barretto and Ang as suspects shocked the nation, punctuating a turning point from rumor to rigorous investigation. Justice Secretary Remulla is determined: “This cannot be solved by publicity”—and he’s ready to pursue every member, no matter how high-ranking.

As the probe deepens—with divers exploring Taal Lake, suspects preparing defenses, and authorities building cases—the public remains riveted. Will justice emerge from the murky waters and unmask the full extent of the Alpha Group’s crimes? Or will powerful interests once again thwart accountability? One thing is certain: the missing sabungeros saga is far from over, and every new revelation brings us closer to the harsh truth behind a national horror wrapped in gambling, secrecy, and murder.