Joselito Malig

Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) secure the second of three body bags containing suspected human remains recovered during the second day of search operations in Taal Lake, Laurel, Batangas, on Friday, July 11, 2025. Authorities are investigating its possible link to the case of the missing sabungeros. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

MISSING SABUNGEROS- TAAL SEARCH

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17522521428771752252139612.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) secure the second of three body bags containing suspected human remains recovered during the second day of search operations in Taal Lake, Laurel, Batangas, on Friday, July 11, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner">Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) secure the second of three body bags containing suspected human remains recovered during the second day of search operations in Taal Lake, Laurel, Batangas, on Friday, July 11, 2025. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong>(UPDATED)  </strong>— On the first day of search and retrieval operations in Taal Lake, Batangas, authorities were met with fresh revelations from whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who revealed chilling new details about the alleged murders of the missing sabungeros.</p><p>Patidongan, the former aide of businessman Atong Ang, has claimed that the victims were abducted and killed at a slaughterhouse near a fishpond in Laurel, Batangas.</p><p>He revealed that the victims — some of whom were allegedly involved in game fixing — were then dumped in Taal Lake.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/11/missing-sabungeros-search-more-sacks-spotted-on-taal-s-lakebed-1327"><strong>Missing sabungeros search: More sacks spotted on Taal’s lakebed<br/></strong></a></div><p>“Halimbawa ngayon nila dukutin, kinabukasan pupunta &#x27;yan ng bahay. Kukunin nila P500,000 &#x27;yung suhol sa kanila… Obligado silang kunin lahat ng sangkot, walang titirang isa. May bata, may buntis, nadadamay rin,” Patidongan said.</p><p>(The killers would come to the house the next day to get their P500,000 fee. They have to get everyone involved. Children, pregnant women have been killed)</p><p>He also revealed that some of the bodies were weighed down with sacks of sand to keep them underwater.</p><p>In what could be a significant breakthrough in the investigation, Patidongan said that several police officers allegedly involved in the case have expressed willingness to cooperate with authorities.</p><p>“Meron na akong alam na kapag nasa Crame na sila, tatlo hanggang lima sa kanila ang papanig na at babaligtad na,” he claimed.</p><p>(I know three to five who will be willing to talk once they are in Camp Crame) </p><p>Among those implicated is a police official identified only by the call sign “Vito” who Patidongan described as a lieutenant colonel who served as team leader.</p><p>&quot;Vito&quot; was paid P2 million a month for the role, he also said.</p><p>Patidongan has already met with some of the families of the missing sabungeros and is preparing to submit his official affidavit to authorities by Monday.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/11/can-bones-found-in-taal-lake-still-be-identified-forensic-pathologist-answers-0931"><strong>Bones found in Taal Lake may still be identified if among &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27;: Forensic pathologist<br/></strong></a></div><p>The families have also submitted additional sworn statements to aid in the ongoing investigation.</p><p>He believes more bodies are yet to be discovered in Taal Lake, claiming that over a hundred victims may have already been dumped in the area.</p><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/ftDwj-4djR8??si=za2aIgZdj-caNOyY&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>On the first day of search and retrieval operations in Taal Lake, Batangas, authorities were met with fresh revelations from whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who revealed chilling new details about the alleged murders of the missing sabungeros.</p>

On the first day of search and retrieval operations in Taal Lake, Batangas, authorities were met with fresh revelations from whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who revealed chilling new details about the alleged murders of the missing sabungeros.

Whistleblower: Sabungeros killed in slaughterhouse before being dumped in lake

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Whistleblower: Sabungeros killed in slaughterhouse before being dumped in lake

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 12, 2025 12:43 AM PHT

|

Updated Jul 12, 2025 08:03 AM PHT

Read More:

missing sabungeros

Taal Lake

Julie Patidongan

ABSNews

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.