THE remains of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) were not only dumped in Taal Lake but also in other locations, according to accused-turned-whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as Totoy, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Nicolas Torre III said Monday, July 7, 2025.
In a press conference, Torre said Patidongan sought the PNP’s assistance in reviving an in-depth investigation into the missing sabungeros case while Torre was still the chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), prior to his appointment as top cop in June.
Patidongan is the former chief of security at the cockpit arenas where the missing sabungeros were reportedly abducted.
Torre said the CIDG discreetly assisted Patidongan in preparing an affidavit in which he implicated over 20 police personnel, detailed the manner of the killings, disclosed the locations where the remains were disposed of, and named the alleged masterminds, among others.
“Well, si Totoy kasi, matagal na sa amin nagbibigay ng statement. Kami actually ang kumuha ng statement niyan months before. Kaya lang, siyempre, we have to put it under wraps to ensure na hindi ma-preempt ang aming mga moves. Kaya nga kami nakakuha ng voluminous evidence dahil medyo under the radar ang pagkuha namin ng information na yan. Nag-followup kami para masiguradong matibay ang kaso,” said Torre.
(Well, Totoy has been giving us statements for quite some time. In fact, we were the ones who got his statement months ago. But of course, we had to keep it under wraps to make sure our moves wouldn’t be preempted. That’s actually how we were able to gather a large amount of evidence—because we were getting that information under the radar. We followed up to ensure the case would be solid.)
“Well, I was very shocked at saka doon nga alam na namin noon pa, and that’s why it firmed our resolve na talaga i-solve ito dahil karumaldumal naman talaga ang nangyari, not acceptable by any standards,” he added.
(Well, I was very shocked, and in fact, we already knew about it even back then—that's why it strengthened our resolve to really solve this case, because what happened was truly heinous and unacceptable by any standards.)
Police personnel
Torre confirmed that 15 police personnel named by Patidongan in his affidavit are currently under restrictive custody at Camp Crame.
He said the highest-ranking officer among them holds the rank of Police Lieutenant Colonel.
Torre refused to disclose the specific roles of the involved policemen, but in an exclusive interview with GMA News, Patidongan claimed the officers were responsible for abducting sabungeros who were accused of cheating.
“Pero ito, hindi natin tinatapos sa 15 ito. Kapag lumawak ng lumawak ang imbestigasyon, baka mas marami pa. At yun nga ang sinasabi namin, wala kaming sasantuhin dito. We will leave no stones unturned. Kahit na dumami ng dumami, pinakaimportante rito is una, mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima, at pangalawa, ma-cleanse na rin ang organization ng PNP sa mga ganung klase ng personnel,” Torre said.
(But this won't end with just the 15. If the investigation widens, there could be even more. And as we’ve said, no one will be spared. We will leave no stone unturned. Even if the number grows, what’s most important is, first, that the victims get justice, and second, that the PNP is cleansed of that kind of personnel.)
“In the interest of fair play, bigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon din na sagutin yang mga reklamo laban sa kanila, pero isa ang sigurado rito, hinding-hindi namin sila bibigyan ng luwag. Hinding-hindi namin sila bibigyan ng puwang na paglaruan ang ating hustisya,” he added.
(In the interest of fair play, bigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon din na sagutin yang mga reklamo laban sa kanila, pero isa ang sigurado rito, hinding-hindi namin sila bibigyan ng luwag. Hinding-hindi namin sila bibigyan ng puwang na paglaruan ang ating hustisya)
Manner of killing, disposal of remains
Torre said since Patidongan tapped the CIDG, they started looking into several areas where the disposal of the remains allegedly took place.
Patidongan earlier said the policemen will turnover the sabungeros they abducted to a group who will do the killing.
He said some were reportedly shot or strangled to death before they were dumped in Taal Lake.
Torre said there were also reports that the remains of the victim were burned.
He refused to divulge the areas, which are part of their investigation.
“Tinatago nga natin muna. Kapag sinabi ko, e di hinukay na kaagad nung mga gumawa nun. Sa totoo lang, pagpasensyahan niyo, pero ang totoo niyan, we are leaving no stones unturned here,” said Torre.
(We had to keep it hidden for now. If I had said something, those responsible would’ve dug it up right away. Honestly, I ask for your understanding, but the truth is, we are leaving no stone unturned here.)
“Aside sa Taal Lake may mga iba pang mga ina-identify ang iba nating mga witnesses kung nasaan possibleng dinispose ang mga katawan itong missing sabungeros at ito ay hinahanap namin. Ito ay pinupuntahan. Well may sinasabi sinusunog, may mga sinasabi binaon. Malalaman at malalaman natin yan kapag na-recover na natin ang mga katawan,” he added.
(Apart from Taal Lake, some of our other witnesses are identifying other possible locations where the bodies of the missing sabungeros may have been disposed of, and we’re searching those areas. We’re going to those sites. Some say the bodies were burned, others say they were buried. We will eventually find out once we recover the remains.)
Torre reiterated his commitment to leading the possible search of remains in the Taal Lake.
“Andiyan ang lahat ng challenges. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na challenging hindi na natin gagawin. We will try, we will see how far we can go sa ating mga efforts. Kapag hindi kaya, e di aminin natin na hindi kaya and we will try another way pero kung makaya naman sa normal na tech diving baka pupuwede,” Torre said.
(All the challenges are there. But just because it’s challenging doesn’t mean we won’t do it. We’ll try—we’ll see how far we can go with our efforts. If it turns out we can’t do it, then we’ll admit that and try another way. But if it’s doable through normal tech diving, then maybe it’s possible.)
Earlier, Patidongan tagged businessman and gaming tycoon Atong Ang as the mastermind in the case of the missing sabungeros, which has been a subject of investigation of the Senate in 2022.
Ang is the head of the Pitmaster Group, which owns the cockpit arenas where some of the missing sabungeros were reportedly abducted.
Patodingan said actress Gretchen Barreto, who was frequently seen with Ang in cockfighting events, was also aware of the execution of the victims.
Patidongan was among the six security personnel of Pitmaster Group who were accused in the abduction of e-sabong master agent Ricardo Lasco in San Pablo, Laguna in August 2021.
Lasco remains to be missing as of July 2025.
They were granted temporary liberty in December 2023 after posting bail of P3 million each.
Seven police personnel were dismissed over alleged involvement in the case. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)