Philippines steps up investigation into missing cockfighters allegedly killed by police

The Philippine government is turning to Japan for technical assistance in its efforts to locate the remains of 34 cockfighters who reportedly vanished under suspicious circumstances.

Justice secretary Crispin Remulla announced on July 4 that authorities are investigating allegations that rogue police officers executed and dumped victims in Taal Lake, located just south of Manila.

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These disturbing disappearances date back to 2022 and are linked to the country's highly profitable but controversial cockfighting industry, locally known as sabong.

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The case gained renewed attention after whistleblower, Julie 'Dondo' Patidongan, a former mayoral candidate, publicly claimed to know the exact location in the lake where the bodies had been submerged.

Justice secretary Remulla confirmed that multiple witnesses have since come forward, supporting Patidongan's claims. Based on their testimonies, the justice department is now focusing on a group of 15 police officers, currently under investigation and put on restricted duty.

"They carried out the executions," Remulla said.

To bolster the investigation, the justice department has formally requested Japan’s assistance in conducting lakebed mapping and deploying advanced forensic technology. "We need a scientific approach here. We cannot leave it to chance," Remulla explained.

Taal Lake, located roughly two hours from Manila, is known for its volcanic island and complex underwater terrain. Spanning over 89 square miles and reaching depths of up to 564 feet, the lake presents significant challenges for any underwater search effort.

Whistleblower names 'mastermind'

Patidongan initially appeared in silhouette in an interview on local television outlet GMA before revealing his identity, saying he feared for his life.

He has named Charlie "Atong" Ang — a prominent figure in online cockfighting — as the mastermind behind the disapperances. Ang, however, denied the allegations on July 3 and filed a lawsuit against Patidongan, accusing him of slander, threats, and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Patidongan, a former employee of Ang, also mentioned that Filipino actress Gretchen Barretto was involved in the case. The camp of the actress on July 4 denied any involvement in the. In a statement made through her lawyer Alma Mallonga, the actress claimed that she was merely an investor of Pitmaster Group and had no knowledge about the 34 sabungeros who have been missing since January 2022.

Authorities had previously arrested several police and security personnel in late 2022, suspecting their involvement in the disappearance of at least 34 sabungeros that Remulla said were "probably dead".

However, since his televised appearance, Patidongan now claims the real number could be closer to 100.

Cockfighting in the Philippines

Cockfighting in the Philippines is not just a pastime but a multibillion-dollar industry. Each week, Filipinos wager millions of pesos on matches between roosters who fight to the death with metal blades tied to their legs. Though banned in many countries, sabong found new life during the COVID-19 pandemic through livestreamed betting, accessible via mobile phones.

A Senate investigation in 2022 revealed that daily bets on online cockfighting reached $52.4 million (Php620 million). However, growing concerns over the missing men eventually led then-President Rodrigo Duterte to ban the online version of cockfighting.

This isn't the first time sabong has made headlines for deadly consequences. In 2020, a Filipino police officer was killed during a raid on an illegal cockfight when a rooster’s blade severed his femoral artery.

Missing sabungeros

Between April 2021 and January 2022, at least 34 cockfighters disappeared across Luzon, including Laguna, Manila, Batangas, and Bulacan. Nineteen of the missing individuals were from Laguna alone. At least one was confirmed to have been kidnapped, sparking widespread media coverage and national concern.

The case remained largely unsolved until June 2025, when Patidongan's testimony changed the course of the investigation. Authorities from the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police say they are taking these new claims seriously and have committed to a thorough reinvestigation of the case.

Elizabeth Gonzales

elizabeth@khaleejtimes.com

Elizabeth Gonzales is a Digital Journalist who loves writing about the expat life — and ways to make the most of it. When she's not looking for new hacks to share with readers, you may find her giving them a real laugh at one of her stand-up comic events.