For three years, the fate of at least 34 cockfight enthusiasts—nicknamed “missing sabungeros”—remained a horrific mystery. Now, shocking allegations and court developments are thrusting two of the Philippines’ most prominent figures into the spotlight and onto the suspect list.

Whistleblower’s explosive testimony
Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, a former security chief linked to Atong Ang’s operations, broke his silence in June. In a chilling account, he claimed the men were lured under the guise of organizing e‑sabong matches, then abducted, strangled with tie‑wires, and dumped in sandbags into the depths of Taal Lake.

Big names dragged into the scandal
Patidongan named Atong Ang, a well-known gaming tycoon behind platforms like Pitmasters Live, as the mastermind. He also implicated actress-investor Gretchen Barretto, alleging she “voted” on exterminating sabungeros suspected of cheating.

DOJ escalates investigation; underwater search to begin
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla officially listed both Ang and Barretto as persons of interest. A search-and-recovery operation in Taal Lake is set to launch this week, potentially with Japan’s help to deploy underwater drones. Divers from the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, NBI, and DOST are preparing to retrieve submerged remains.

Denials from high places
Ang has dismissed the allegations as extortion, claiming Patidongan demanded P300 million in hush money. Barretto’s lawyer called the accusations “absurd” and insisted she never participated in such meetings—she merely invested in e-sabong as a business venture.

Families brace for truth

After years of unanswered grief, relatives of the missing cite Patidongan’s testimony as long-awaited validation. Some warned they expected Ang’s involvement from the start. The public awaits with bated breath as underwater scrutiny begins.

Taal Lake’s silent depths may now reveal a shocking chapter in the missing sabungero saga. With evidence possibly surfacing in the coming days, the question remains: can justice finally reach the victims? The nation watches—and the world waits.