Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

The families of the missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungero on Friday, December 2, 2022 show their photographs during a meeting with Secretary Crispin Remulla. Secreatary Remulla said they have agreed to meet regularly to inform the families on the ongoing investigation and search for their loved ones. ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

DOJ-MISSING

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175212554209320221202-doj-sabungeros-aa-6217.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The families of the missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungero on Friday, December 2, 2022 show their photographs during a meeting with Secretary Crispin Remulla. Secreatary Remulla said they have agreed to meet regularly to inform the families on the ongoing investigation and search for their loved ones. ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Family members of the 34 missing cockfight enthusiasts (sabungeros) on Thursday went to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) office in Camp Crame to file sworn affidavits for fresh complaints—just a day after personally meeting the whistleblower in the case.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/3/who-is-totoy-whistleblower-in-missing-sabungeros-reveals-identity-1659">Who is ‘Totoy’? Whistleblower in missing sabungeros steps out of the shadows</a></div><p>Charlene Lasco, sister of missing e-sabong master agent Ricardo &quot;Jon-jon&quot; Lasco, said they found renewed hope after meeting Julie “Dondon” Patidongan on Wednesday, who shed light on what happened to their loved ones.</p><p>Patidongan has named several individuals allegedly involved in the case, including his former boss, businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, and former actress Gretchen Barretto, in what he claimed was a mass murder.</p><p>“Punong-puno kami ng pag-asa. No’ng nagkaharap kami ng witness, isa siyang mukha ng pag-asa sa amin. Kami ay nagpapasalamat na talagang finally mabibigyan na ng linaw ang mga mastermind kung sino at nang mabigyan ng justice,” Lasco told reporters at Camp Crame.</p><p>(We are filled with hope. When we finally came face to face with the witness, he became a symbol of hope for us. We are grateful that, at last, the masterminds behind this may finally be identified and justice will be served.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/9/gretchen-barretto-camp-questions-whistleblower-totoy-s-credibility-in-missing-sabungeros-case-1134">Gretchen Barretto camp questions whistleblower&#x27;s credibility in missing sabungeros case</a></div><p>Four years since the alleged abduction of the 34 men, Lasco said they found new strength to endure the process, no matter how long it takes.</p><p>She thanked the inter-agency efforts to resolve the case.</p><p>“Alam ko ito ay mahabang proseso, but at least meron na tayong pinagsisimulan, hindi kamukha no’ng nakaraang mga taon na talagang walang gustong gumalaw,” she said.</p><p>(I know this is a long process, but at least now we have something to begin with, unlike in the past years when no one wanted to act.)</p><p>Alias &quot;Myrna,&quot; the mother of one of the missing sabungeros, was emotional when she arrived at the CIDG office.</p><p>“Masakit sa isang magulang na ganon ang nangyari sa anak niya. Hanggang ngayon, hindi po siya maalis sa puso ko, sa isip ko, araw-gabi po,” she said in tears.</p><p>(It’s painful for a parent to go through what happened to their child. Even now, he never leaves my heart, my mind—day and night.)</p><p>Myrna said Patidongan’s testimony was an answered prayer.</p><p>“Wala po akong hiniling sa Panginoon kundi magkaroon ng linaw,” she said.</p><p>(All I’ve ever asked the Lord for was clarity.)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>HOPING FOR BODIES</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The families are hoping that the retrieval operations in Taal Lake will bring results—no matter how painful—to give them long-awaited closure.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/10/government-divers-begin-initial-search-in-taal-lake-for-missing-sabungeros-0951">Search for missing sabungeros begins at Taal Lake</a></div><p>“Sabi po ng whistleblower, tinurn-over daw [ang anak ko]. Kung sino ka man po, ‘yong anak ko, kung isa siya sa pinatay niyo o kaya buhay pa, pakiusap naman po, ibalik na lang kung siya’y buhay pa. Pero maski man masakit tanggapin, kung isa siya sa mga pinatay niyo, wala na po akong magagawa,” Myrna said.</p><p>(According to the whistleblower, [my son] was turned over. Whoever you are, if my child was among those you killed—or if he’s still alive—please, I beg you, return him if he’s still alive. But even if it’s painful to accept, if he was one of those murdered, then there’s nothing I can do anymore.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/6/wrap-flurry-of-allegations-revives-dormant-missing-sabungeros-case-2204">Flurry of allegations revives dormant ‘missing sabungeros’ case</a></div><p>“Maiuuwi na namin ang aming mga kaanak para ma-finally put him to rest,” Lasco said. “Talaga namang mahirap ang dinanas namin.”</p><p>(We’re hoping we can finally bring our loved ones home and lay them to rest. What we’ve been through has truly been difficult.)</p><p>Lasco also expressed hope that authorities will allow them to personally witness the retrieval operations.</p><p>Government divers on Thursday began their preliminary search in Taal Lake, Batangas, where Patidongan claimed the missing sabungeros were executed and dumped.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-useuFJAQNE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UOjP2UZ_TDo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The families are hoping that the retrieval operations in Taal Lake will bring results—no matter how painful—to give them long-awaited closure.</p>

The families are hoping that the retrieval operations in Taal Lake will bring results—no matter how painful—to give them long-awaited closure.

Families of 'missing sabungeros' meet whistleblower, file fresh affidavits

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Families of 'missing sabungeros' meet whistleblower, file fresh affidavits

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 10, 2025 01:39 PM PHT

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