15 cops under restrictive custody over alleged links to missing sabungeros

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Friday, July 4, 2025, that 15 policemen were placed under restrictive custody over their alleged involvement in the disappearance of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts, locally known as sabungeros.

In an interview with reporters, Remulla said the policemen who are currently under restrictive custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) allegedly “carried out the executions” of the missing sabungeros.

“Restricted duty na sila. They have to report already to offices para doon na sila. Para hindi na sila makasakit,” Remulla said.

(They are now on restricted duty. They have to report to their offices so they'll stay there and won't be able to harm anyone anymore.)

Earlier in the day, Remulla met with the families of the sabungeros who have been missing since 2021.

This came following the revelation made by an accused-turned-whistleblower, Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, who is the former chief of security of the cockpit arenas where the missing sabungeros were reportedly abducted.

Patidongan was among those accused in the abduction of e-sabong master agent Ricardo Lasco in San Pablo, Laguna in August 2021.

Seven policemen were dismissed in 2022 due to Lasco’s disappearance.

Patidongan earlier tagged businessman and gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, who owns the said cockpit arenas, as the mastermind of the abduction and killing of the missing sabungeros.

He said the sabungeros who were executed were accused of involvement in cheating schemes inside the cockpit arenas.

Patidongan said Ang tried to bribe him to the tune of P300 million in exchange for the recantation of his statements linking him to the case.

He also expressed certainty that actress Gretchen Barretto is aware of the execution of the missing sabungeros.

Ang denied the said claims as he filed charges against Patidongan whom he accused of extorting him of P300 million in exchange for not implicating him in the case.

He said he refused to give in to the demands of Patidongan as he maintained his innocence on the matter.

Remulla assured the families of the victims that their investigation into the matter continues.

“Ang sabi ko naman sa kanila, pumasok kami dito three years ago, the deadline was always yesterday. Laging mga problema namin, backlog lagi ang problema unang pasok pa lang namin,” Remulla said.

(What I told them was, we came in here three years ago, and the deadline was always yesterday. From the very start, our problem has always been the backlog.)

“Pero hindi kami tumitigil talaga. We’re not leaving any stone unturned para ma-solve natin itong mga kaso na ito,” he added.

(But we really don’t stop. We’re not leaving any stone unturned to solve these cases.)

Remulla also earlier said that they are already considering Ang, Barretto and several others as “suspects” in the case of the missing sabungeros based on the accounts of Patidongan.

Speculation?

In a statement Friday, July 4, 2025, Barretto’s counsel, Lawyer Alma Mallonga, dismissed Patidongan’s “suspicions” against the actress, noting that he has not witnessed anything that her client has said or done.

She said the whistleblower maliciously speculates that Barretto was somehow involved in the illegal activities just because of her close connection with Ang.

“To be clear: Ms. Barretto has only heard about, hence has no relevant knowledge concerning, the disappearances. She did not operate the sabungan, had no participation in e-sabong operations that was suspended more than two years ago, and was merely an investor in the business. She attended no meetings where approvals were sought nor given to implement the disappearances. The proposition is so absurd, it is a plain invention… Wishful thinking borne out of malicious desperation and speculation are not evidence,” said Mallonga.

Mallonga said Barretto also confirms the attempt of Patidongan to also extort money from her with an offer to exclude her name from the list of suspects he will implicate.

“She refused because she had done nothing wrong. Ms. Barretto awaits the results of the investigation and will fully cooperate in the process. This is her priority. In the meantime, she beseeches the authorities to be fair and thorough, and for the public not to rush to judgment. In the end, Ms. Barretto trusts that an objective investigation will prove her lack of involvement in the case and the unfairness and falsity of the accusations against her,” Barretto added. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)