Jamaine Punzalan

Family members of the missing sabungeros call for justice during a media conference in Quezon City on July 14, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Families of Missing Sabungeros call for Justice

Adrian Ayalin

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/175282417052920250714-justice-missing-sabungeros-MD-10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Family members of the missing sabungeros call for justice during a media conference in Quezon City on July 14, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Thirty other individuals could be involved in the case of missing &quot;sabungeros&quot;, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday, citing information from whistleblower Julie Patidongan. </p><p>Remulla, who met with  Patidongan earlier in the day, said the whistleblower did not give additional details on the location of the missing sabungeros and had instead talked about &quot;some other people who may be involved.&quot; </p><p>Patidongan earlier linked 15 policemen, businessman Charlie Atong Ang, and actress Gretchen Barretto to the 2022 disappearances in the country&#x27;s huge cockfighting industry.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/18/pcg-halts-sabungeros-search-in-taal-lake-due-to-bad-weather-1340" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PCG halts &#x27;sabungeros&#x27; search in Taal Lake due to bad weather</a></div><p>Patidongan was accompanied by two of his lawyers at the DOJ. He refused to answer questions from the media.</p><p>Remulla said it was important to continuously talk with Patidongan. </p><p>“Syempre iyong demeanor ng witness dapat talaga isama namin but so far so good, very reliable,” Remulla said.</p><p>“We are still getting information and some clarifications kasi marami talaga siyang data na alam, we have to know what he knows,” the official said.</p><p>The case erupted back into the public consciousness last month with the televised appearance of Patidongan, who claimed to know where bodies had been submerged in Lake Taal.</p><p>Located about two hours south of Manila, the lake spans more than 230 square kilometers and reaches depths of 172 metres in some places.</p><p>Technical divers of the Coast Guard<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/18/pcg-halts-sabungeros-search-in-taal-lake-due-to-bad-weather-1340"> paused their underwater search in Taal</a> on Friday due to bad weather, according to Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano.</p><p>“Elevated turbidity levels significantly reduced underwater visibility resulting in unfavorable condition for the conduct of any diving operations,” Clavano said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/14/human-bones-found-in-taal-in-missing-sabungeros-search-pnp-1059">Human bones found in Taal in missing sabungeros search: PNP</a></div><p>Remulla said the suspension of the search was temporary.</p><p>“Hold lang iyon kasi iyon nga the weather does not permit us to carry out a good search kaya nga sinasabi ko six months, kasi marami tayog bubuin na conditions para maging complete ang ating search,” he said.</p><p>Filipinos from all walks of life wager millions of dollars on matches every week between roosters who fight to the death with razor-sharp metal spurs tied to their legs.</p><p>Cockfighting, banned in many other countries, survived coronavirus pandemic restrictions by going online, drawing many more gamblers who use their mobile phones to place wagers.</p><p>Former president Rodrigo Duterte banned the livestreaming of cockfights shortly before leaving office in 2022, but it has continued due to lax enforcement.</p><div><strong>-- With a report from Agence France-Presse </strong></div><div><iframe width="1250" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LVNr9DdOe9c" title="Missing sabungeros search: 3 bodies exhumed at Laurel cemetery | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <iframe width="1250" height="703" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TrkEKqTBBdk" title="Remulla explains link between drug war, missing sabungeros: &#x27;Enforced disappearances&#x27;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABcgTPYe65YSxDev"></script>

<p>Thirty other individuals are possibly involved in the case of missing "sabungeros", Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said as he met whistleblower Julie Patidongan on Friday.</p>

Thirty other individuals are possibly involved in the case of missing "sabungeros", Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said as he met whistleblower Julie Patidongan on Friday.

Whistleblower: 30 other people involved in missing sabungeros case

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Whistleblower: 30 other people involved in missing sabungeros case

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 18, 2025 03:33 PM PHT

|

Updated July 18, 2025 11:38 PM PHT

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ANC Promo

Missing sabungero

Taal Lake

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Crispin Remulla

Julie Patidongan

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