Camille Naredo

Members of the Justice for the Missing Sabungeros Network hold a press conference in Quezon City on July 14, 2025, to call for a thorough investigation and justice for the missing cockfighting enthusiasts who disappeared between 2021 and 2022. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Justice for the Missing Sabungeros Network

Jessie Cruzat

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/175248999234720250714-missing-sabungeros-patidongan-MD-7.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Members of the Justice for the Missing Sabungeros Network hold a press conference in Quezon City on July 14, 2025, to call for a thorough investigation and justice for the missing cockfighting enthusiasts who disappeared between 2021 and 2022. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of the Justice for the Missing Sabungeros Network hold a press conference in Quezon City on July 14, 2025, to call for a thorough investigation and justice for the missing cockfighting enthusiasts who disappeared between 2021 and 2022. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Tears poured on Monday morning as families of missing “sabungeros” faced the media at a press conference at the University of the Philippines.</p><p>The group, calling themselves the Justice for Missing Sabungeros Network, demanded the government to take action in solving the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts and hold accountable those in power whom they believe are involved in the disappearances.</p><p>“This case is not about gambling but how the state allows people to disappear. How the powerful are shielded from justice,” said Ted Lazaro, spokesperson for the network.</p><p>“We call on the government to act, prosecute Atong Ang as the central figure behind the disappearance, investigate Duterte and Duterte officials who cover up crimes, launch recovery operations in Taal Lake and other dumping sites, and protect whistleblowers and family members.”</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/11/kaso-ng-mga-nawawalang-sabungero-walang-cover-up-malacanang-1651">Kaso ng mga nawawalang sabungero, walang cover-up: Malacanang</a></div><p>Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as “Totoy,&quot; has tagged businessman <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/3/atong-ang-gretchen-barretto-now-suspects-in-missing-sabungeros-case-doj-1443">Charlie &quot;Atong&quot; Ang</a> as the mastermind behind the disappearances of the sabungeros. He claimed actress <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/3/atong-ang-gretchen-barretto-now-suspects-in-missing-sabungeros-case-doj-1443">Gretchen Barreto</a> is also involved in the case.</p><p>Ang had denied the allegations. His lawyers have filed a number of <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/3/atong-ang-hints-at-extortion-in-missing-sabungeros-case-puno-t-dulo-nito-pera-1108">complaints</a> against Patidongan and accused his erstwhile employee of extortion.</p><p>Jocelyn Dela Cruz, a mother from Meycauayan, Bulacan, has not seen her son, Jover Francisco, since he disappeared in April 2021.</p><p>“Sana umuwi na siya kasi hindi namin iniisip na ganyan nga ang nangyari sa kanila. Iniisip ko na lang lagi na sana nasa abroad siya tapos biglang uuwi. Parang ganon,” she said.</p><p>“Masakit po siyempre kasi dadalawa po sila e… siya lang po talaga ang kasama ko tapos siya lang ‘yong nagtatrabaho para sa akin.”</p><p>For the past four years, she’s continued sending messages to her son&#x27;s social media account in the hopes he might respond.</p><p>“Anak, kung nasaan ka man, sana maging matahimik na rin ang kaluluwa mo kung sakaling wala ka na talaga,” she added.</p><p>The families&#x27; hopes were reignited with the appearance of Patidongan, who appeared publicly for the first time.</p><p>“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon na hanggang ngayon buhay pa ko,” Patindongan said.</p><p>“Ito lang masasabi ko sayo Mr. Atong Ang, di mo ko kayang mabayaran pera mo. Ubusin mo &#x27;yan sa paggastos sa mga koneksyon mo. Masakit para sa’kin kung &#x27;di ako maglakas loob kung di mo uubusin buong pamilya ko,” Patidongan added.</p><p>The victims&#x27; families are firm Ang is behind the disappearances.</p><p>“Malupit ka… Bakit mo nagawa pumatay ng mga tao. Nasaan ang konsensiya mo? Hindi ka na naawa. Napakalupit mo. Kung sa pamilya mo mangyari &#x27;yan, ano ang pakiramdam mo?” said Carmen Malaca, mother of one of the missing.</p><p>Charlene Lasco, whose brother is among the missing, questioned the motive behind the alleged abductions.</p><p>“Alam mo kung sinasabi mong nag-ilegal itong mga taong &#x27;to sana sabi nga namin pinakulong mo lahat. Ano ba ang napala mo? Ano napala nyo sa mga pinaggagawa nyo sa amin?” said Lasco.</p><p>Meanwhile, PNP Chief PGen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed that <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/14/human-bones-found-in-taal-in-missing-sabungeros-search-pnp-1059">human remains</a> were among those recovered in Taal Lake.</p><p>“Halo-halo ‘no? Kasi alam niyo naman may farm sa lugar na yan may farm ang taal ay farming yan. Andiya lahat ng nakikita natin may animal remains, may mga human at mixed mixed na ang ating tinitingnan kaya kasama sa processing ang pag-differentiate kung ito ba ay animal o human remains,” Torre explained.</p><p>As the case progresses, the families hope that the justice they have long been seeking will finally be served.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/14/whistleblower-files-admin-raps-vs-cops-tagged-in-missing-sabungeros-case-1509">Whistleblower files admin raps vs cops tagged in ‘missing sabungeros’ case</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nEMYoJVHq14?si=wmUh7BZLgz-pz3EF" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The group, calling themselves the Justice for Missing Sabungeros Network, demanded the government to take action in solving the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts and hold accountable those in power whom they believe are involved in the disappearances.</p>

The group, calling themselves the Justice for Missing Sabungeros Network, demanded the government to take action in solving the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts and hold accountable those in power whom they believe are involved in the disappearances.

Missing sabungeros' kin demand justice, accountability; whistleblower urges Ang to confess

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Missing sabungeros' kin demand justice, accountability; whistleblower urges Ang to confess

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 14, 2025 06:47 PM PHT

|

Updated July 14, 2025 06:58 PM PHT

Read More:

missing sabungeros

families

Julie Patidongan

justice

accountability

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