Cheyenne Suarez

Who is ‘Totoy’? Whistleblower in missing sabungeros steps out of the shadows

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — After appearing in televised interviews under the alias “Totoy,” the key whistleblower in the case of missing cockfight enthusiasts — or sabungeros — has come forward to reveal his identity: Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, a longtime farm manager and former trusted aide of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang.Patidongan said he was once deeply involved in Ang’s operations, overseeing various farms for around 15 years. But he said everything changed when Ang allegedly began threatening his family’s safety.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/2/-not-just-30-whistleblower-says-100-sabungeros-gamblers-allegedly-killed-dumped-in-taal-lake-0744">&#x27;NOT JUST 30&#x27;: Whistleblower says 100 sabungeros, gamblers allegedly killed, dumped in Taal Lake</a></div>“Ako ang pinagkakatiwalaan niya sa lahat ng bagay at isa akong farm manager sa lahat ng farm ni Mr. Atong Ang,” Patidongan told ABS-CBN News in a sit-down interview on Wednesday.(He trusted me with everything, and I was the farm manager of all of Mr. Atong Ang’s farms.)“Sa totoo lang kaya ko naman sana dalhin hanggang libingan itong sikreto namin ni Atong Ang. Ang problema ay pamilya na ang pinag-uusapan dito.”(To be honest, I could have taken our secret to the grave. The problem is, it’s now about my family.)Ang, in a press briefing after filing criminal complaints against Patidongan before a Mandaluyong court, acknowledged their close relationship but strongly denied any involvement in the alleged crimes. Instead, he accused Patidongan of extortion.“Tinuring kitang parang anak ko,” Ang said.(I treated you like my own son.)Patidongan is among six individuals facing charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the January 2022 disappearance of several sabungeros from Tanay, Rizal.Authorities identified them as members of the security personnel at the Manila Arena, where the victims were reportedly headed for a cockfighting match.The missing men — James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, Rowel Gomez, and their driver, John Claude Inonog — were last seen leaving Tanay around 1 a.m. on January 13, 2022.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/2/whistleblower-former-vice-mayor-actress-other-officials-allegedly-involved-in-missing-sabungeros-1256">Former vice mayor, actress, other officials allegedly involved in missing sabungeros case, says whistleblower</a></div>Apart from this case, Patidongan is also facing another complaint.He is allegedly the manager of AA-Cobra Farm in Barangay Palasan, Santa Cruz, Laguna — a location also linked to the disappearance of other sabungeros.In one piece of video evidence, he is seen with a missing cockfight enthusiast who is handcuffed. Despite the allegations against him, some officials believe Patidongan’s testimony holds weight.Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla earlier vouched for his credibility: “He was a trusted person of the principals kaya alam niya lahat eh (so he knows the details).&quot;He told ANC that this gave authorities access to supposed records of the disappearances. &quot;Kasi ultimo pagpatay niyan, may voucher pa na binibigay para makasingil ng pera ‘yong mga pumapatay.&quot; (In some killings, there were even vouchers given out so the killers could claim payment.)<div>ANG&#x27;S LAWYER: &#x27;TOTOY&#x27; HAS A BAD RECORD</div>But Ang’s legal counsel, Atty. Lorna Kapunan, cast doubt on Patidongan’s character, citing past criminal complaints.“Empleyado ‘yan ng isang security agency at tinanggal dahil sa sexual harassment. Nag-apply kay Atong Ang and he ended up as security hanggang naging farm manager siya,” Kapunan told DZMM.(He used to work in a security agency but was dismissed for sexual harassment. He applied with Atong Ang and eventually became a farm manager.)She added that Patidongan has faced multiple complaints since 2019, including frustrated murder, robbery with intimidation, physical injuries, and grave threats.As the case unfolds, Patidongan’s emergence from anonymity as “Alyas Totoy” marks a dramatic twist in the saga of the missing sabungeros — one that could either shake powerful interests or unravel under scrutiny.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/3/-walang-sisinuhin-ang-pangulo-palace-assures-sabungeros-probe-will-spare-no-one-1353">&#x27;Walang sisinuhin ang Pangulo&#x27;: Palace vows &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; probe will spare no one</a></div>

After appearing in televised interviews under the alias “Totoy,” the key whistleblower in the case of missing sabungeros has come forward to reveal his true identity: Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, a longtime farm manager and former trusted aide of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang.

After appearing in televised interviews under the alias “Totoy,” the key whistleblower in the case of missing sabungeros has come forward to reveal his true identity: Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, a longtime farm manager and former trusted aide of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang.