In a shocking new development surrounding the mysterious disappearance of dozens of cockfighting bettors — known locally as “sabungeros” — a woman who had previously spoken out has now made a chilling claim: a lawyer was allegedly sent to silence her.

The woman, whose identity remains withheld for safety reasons, has stepped forward with a series of disturbing allegations that have shaken public trust and reignited national attention on one of the Philippines’ most baffling unresolved cases.

According to her emotional testimony, shared through a viral video online, she claimed that an attorney approached her under the guise of “helping” resolve the matter quietly. But she now believes this was no offer of help — it was a calculated move to silence her.

“They didn’t want me to speak,” she said. “They didn’t want the truth to come out.”

Her story begins months after the disappearance of over 30 cockfighting enthusiasts — an incident that first gained attention in 2021 when multiple families reported their loved ones missing after attending high-stakes sabong matches across various provinces. Despite scattered leads and mounting public outcry, the case has largely remained unresolved, with no definitive answers from authorities.

Now, this woman claims she was directly threatened after offering to share what she knew.

According to her, the supposed legal representative approached her under seemingly normal circumstances. But as conversations progressed, she began to feel unease — especially when the discussion turned to her remaining silent, allegedly in exchange for certain “favors.”

She refused.

Shortly afterward, she claimed to have received disturbing warnings — both online and in person. “They told me to keep quiet. That it wasn’t my business. That I should stop asking questions if I knew what was good for me,” she said.

But instead of backing down, she made her voice louder.

“This isn’t just about the sabungeros anymore,” she declared. “It’s about how deep the corruption goes, about who’s protecting who, and how people with power think they can erase anyone who gets in the way.”

Her video quickly spread across social media, garnering thousands of views and reigniting nationwide frustration over the lack of progress in the case. In comment sections, many Filipinos voiced their support, calling her brave — while others warned her to be careful.

Government officials have yet to issue a statement in response to her claims. Meanwhile, the families of the missing sabungeros continue to live in anguish, with no closure in sight.

What makes her testimony especially troubling is how it echoes similar fears shared by other would-be whistleblowers in the past — individuals who, after speaking out, either retracted their statements or vanished from the spotlight altogether.

“There’s a pattern,” she said. “People know things, and then suddenly, they disappear. Or they go silent. I’m scared, but if I don’t speak up now, who will?”

She emphasized that her goal isn’t to create drama, but to demand answers. “These families deserve the truth. They deserve justice. And if the only way to get it is to make noise, then I won’t stop.”

Her decision to go public with these allegations has now put pressure back on authorities, who for months have faced criticism for their perceived inaction.

Many netizens are now calling on the government to provide her with protection and investigate the lawyer she referenced. Legal experts, meanwhile, warn that such allegations — if true — could point to a wider conspiracy that may involve not only private syndicates but potentially insiders within the justice system.

As of now, the woman says she remains in hiding for her safety, relying on the support of friends and strangers online.

“I don’t want to be a martyr,” she said. “I just want people to know the truth. I just want them to be found.”

The case of the missing sabungeros was already one of the country’s darkest unsolved mysteries. But with this new twist, it has taken an even more disturbing turn — one that may finally push investigators to act.

Or, as many fear, bury the truth even deeper.