The Sabungero Case: Unveiling the 220-Point Breakdown Behind Years of Silence and Recent Breakthroughs

Published: July 2025

For years, the mystery surrounding the disappearance of dozens of sabungeros—cockfight enthusiasts—in the Philippines baffled the public and law enforcement alike. Despite alarming reports dating back to 2021, the case seemed to stall, with no concrete resolution in sight.

Recently, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed what he called the “220-point breakdown,” an eye-opening insight into the complex, systemic factors that hampered the investigation. This exposé aims to unpack the intricate details behind the stalled case and how recent developments are finally shifting the tide toward justice.

The Beginning: A Surge of Missing Sabungeros

Between April 2021 and January 2022, numerous sabungeros vanished, primarily in Luzon provinces including Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, and the National Capital Region. These disappearances coincided with the explosive growth of e-sabong, or online cockfighting—a booming industry that attracted a diverse crowd and considerable money.

Initial media reports documented at least 34 missing sabungeros, with families desperately seeking answers. Yet, for a long time, these incidents failed to spur coordinated government action.

Why? The answer lies in the multi-layered “220-point breakdown” revealed by the justice department—a term referring to over 200 interconnected issues spanning from weak evidence, institutional corruption, to socio-economic factors.

The Complex Web: What the “220-Point Breakdown” Really Means

The term “220-point breakdown” isn’t a literal checklist but rather a figurative expression describing the myriad issues and failures that, combined, effectively stalled any meaningful progress in the sabungero case for years. Here are the core components:

1. Fragmented Reporting and Investigations

The missing sabungeros hailed from different provinces and cities. Reports were lodged at various police stations, local government units, and barangays. This lack of centralized coordination meant investigations happened in silos, with no unified task force or shared database initially.

Consequently, leads were lost, witnesses overlooked, and potential connections between cases remained undiscovered.

2. Insufficient Evidence and Lack of Physical Proof

Unlike many criminal cases, there were no bodies or direct evidence of foul play initially. The missing individuals simply disappeared, making it hard to prove crimes such as kidnapping or worse.

Without tangible proof, law enforcement agencies found it difficult to build cases against suspects or justify intensive operations, leading to prolonged inactivity.

3. Victim and Witness Intimidation

Sources revealed that some families or witnesses withdrew or softened complaints, likely due to intimidation or threats. The underground nature of cockfighting, combined with gambling debts and associated criminal elements, made speaking out risky.

This climate of fear further paralyzed investigations and allowed perpetrators to operate with impunity.

4. Possible Collusion and Corruption

Justice Secretary Remulla hinted at possible involvement of some police and security personnel in the case, some allegedly shielding suspects or obstructing justice. Corruption within law enforcement severely undermined public trust and stalled investigative efforts.

5. Economic Power of E-Sabong and Its Stakeholders

The online cockfighting industry generated billions of pesos in revenue, creating powerful stakeholders who may have influenced authorities or intimidated complainants to protect their interests.

This financial clout complicated attempts to penetrate the industry and uncover the truth.

6. Limited Technical Resources

Early on, underwater searches or forensic technology to examine possible disposal sites, such as Taal Lake, were unavailable or insufficient. Recent acquisition of Japanese underwater drones and enhanced forensic support have since improved capabilities.

The Turning Point: Whistleblower Revelations and Renewed Government Action

Atong Ang's camp opposes move to make whistleblower a state witness in missing sabungeros' case

In June 2025, a critical development shifted momentum. A former security insider, dubbed “Totoy” or Julie Patidongan, came forward with detailed testimony about coordinated efforts to target and remove sabungeros accused of cheating, allegedly disposing of some victims’ bodies in Taal Lake.

His account corroborated fragmented clues and forced the Department of Justice (DOJ) to escalate the case from isolated complaints to a major criminal investigation.

Simultaneously, the DOJ mobilized multiple agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Philippine Navy, to conduct underwater searches and gather evidence.

Families’ Fight for Justice

The families of missing sabungeros endured years of uncertainty and grief. Despite public indifference and bureaucratic inertia, they organized protests, filed petitions, and demanded transparency.

Their persistence, combined with media coverage and social media campaigns, pressured authorities to act decisively.