A WHISTLEBLOWER has accused gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang of allegedly orchestrating the disappearance of over a hundred cockfighting enthusiasts, known locally as sabungeros, over the past several years.
In a recent television interview, Julie Aguilar Patidongan, Ang’s former chief of security for farms and cockfight arenas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, also implicated actress Gretchen Barretto, Eric dela Rosa, and Engineer Celso Salazar in the disappearances.
Patidongan, who served as Ang’s bodyguard for 15 years before becoming head of security for all his operations, claims Ang was the ultimate authority. “Mr. Atong Ang, Eric Dela Rosa, Engineer Celso Salazar, they are the masterminds behind the missing sabungeros, they are the brains of it all,” Patidongan said.
He further detailed their alleged scheme: “Eric Dela Rosa monitors the fights, if he knows someone is cheating ['tyope'], he informs Mr. Atong Ang, then they will talk to Celso Salazar, and then they call me to hold the people who are cheating.”
Patidongan alleged that Ang, as chairman of Pit Master, was the alleged principal mastermind. “He is the one who orders to eliminate them ['iligpit ang mga yan']. There are members of the PNP (Philippine National Police) who are ordered to pick them up from the venue,” he added. "Tyope" is a term for cheating in cockfighting.
Patidongan revealed that Ang’s camp recently offered him P300 million to recant his statements regarding the missing sabungeros. He refused the offer, citing his commitment to his family and the victims' families.
The accused-turned-whistleblower previously claimed that the remains of over a hundred missing sabungeros were thrown into Taal Lake. These individuals were allegedly abducted from cockpits in Manila, Laguna, and Batangas operated by Ang's company.
Patidongan himself was previously accused in the abduction of e-sabong master agent Ricardo Lasco in San Pablo, Laguna, in August 2021. Seven policemen were also implicated in that case and have since been dismissed from service.
Patidongan confirmed that affidavits are currently being completed for the formal filing of charges against Ang and his alleged cohorts.
Regarding actress Gretchen Barretto, Patidongan asserted her involvement. “As for Miss Gretchen Barretto, she is 100 percent involved because she is always with Mr. Atong Ang. My only appeal to her is to cooperate with me,” he urged.