Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Totoy

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/1753931381220cropped-Screen Shot 2025-07-31 at 11.08.41 AM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Whistleblower Julie Patidongan, also known as &quot;Totoy,&quot; files charges against active and retired Philippine National Police (PNP) officials allegedly involved in the case of the missing sabungeros, at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) headquarters in Quezon City on July 14, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Two brothers of whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who are also linked to the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts, have been arrested abroad, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed Thursday.</p><p>PNP spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo identified the suspects as Elakim and Jose Patidongan. They were apprehended in an undisclosed Southeast Asian country and brought back to the Philippines on July 22.</p><p>Elakim was allegedly caught using the ATM card of victim Melbert John Santos, who went missing on January 13, 2022, in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.</p><p>Jose, meanwhile, was seen in a video escorting a handcuffed victim, Michael Bautista, in Sta. Cruz on April 28, 2021.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/10/families-of-missing-sabungeros-meet-whistleblower-1339">Families of &#x27;missing sabungeros&#x27; meet whistleblower, file fresh affidavits</a></div><p>“Napakatahimik, walang ingay, hindi natin pinaputok sa media kasi nga gusto natin makuha itong dalawang ito dahil naniniwala tayo, ito ‘yong mga missing link doon sa mga kaso ng missing sabungero,” said Fajardo in a media briefing at Camp Crame.</p><p>(It was very quiet, no noise, we didn’t release this to the media because we wanted to secure the arrest of these two. We believe they are the missing link in the cases of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts.)</p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAFz8gWM8iRADsJr&amp;cid=ABdWSJm2sBG6GbA1"></script><div><strong>‘LEGAL STRATEGY’</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Fajardo said Jose has a standing arrest warrant following his conviction in a robbery case.</p><p>Meanwhile, she said Elakim was charged upon arrival for using a different name in his passport — part of what the PNP calls a “legal strategy” to justify his detention.</p><p>“It was a legal strategy on the part of the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) na sampahan na po ng kaso iyan, otherwise, masasampahan po sila ng kaso ng arbitrary detention,” said Fajardo, addressing criticisms that authorities were being oppressive toward the suspects, who could potentially become state witnesses and support Julie Patidongan’s claims.</p><p>(It was a legal strategy on the part of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to file a case against him. Otherwise, we could be charged with arbitrary detention.)</p><p>“The only way para po sila maging witness at ma-discharge as state witness, kailangan po silang sampahan po ng kaso,” she added.</p><p>(The only way for them to become witnesses and be discharged as state witnesses is to file a case against them first.)</p><p>The arrest operation was led by then CIDG Director BGen.  Romeo Macapaz, in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration and under an approved case operational plan.</p><p>Fajardo said both suspects expressed willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation, noting that their testimonies could be critical in solving the case.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/30/napolcom-says-expecting-more-witnesses-in-missing-sabungeros-case-0041">Napolcom says expecting more witnesses in missing sabungeros case</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>MACAPAZ REASSIGNED</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Fajardo confirmed that Macapaz was reassigned from the CIDG to the Soccsksargen regional police, but clarified that the transfer was not connected to allegations of mishandling the case.</p><p>“It’s so unfair po, very unfair po on the part of Gen. Macapaz, sa mga lumalabas po ngayong information, na he is trying to muddle the investigation. But in reality, ‘yong mama ay nagtrabaho lamang po,” Fajardo said.</p><p>(It’s very unfair to General Macapaz, given the current claims that he is trying to muddle the investigation. But in reality, the man was just doing his job.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/30/most-cops-in-missing-sabungeros-case-had-prior-admin-cases-ias-1441">Most cops in ‘missing sabungeros’ case had prior admin cases: IAS </a></div><p>She noted that Macapaz was not the official being alluded to by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as having been relieved for bungling the case.</p><p>“There is no truth na meron pong nag-request na tanggalin siya sa CIDG. It would be very, very unfair na sabihin na meron pong nag-utos kay Chief PNP para tanggalin po siya sa CIDG,” said Fajardo. “It was a personal request of General Macapaz na mailipat po siya sa ibang region po.”</p><p>(There is no truth to claims that someone requested his removal from CIDG. It would be very unfair to say that someone ordered the PNP Chief to remove him. It was General Macapaz’s personal request to be transferred to another region.)</p><p>Fajardo added that with his background in intelligence, Macapaz is expected to be effective in addressing smuggling operations in the Mindanao region.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/30/skull-found-in-taal-lake-search-for-missing-sabungeros-1537">Skull found in Taal Lake search for ‘missing sabungeros’</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><strong><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/qbYmdZxK-ZY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>PNP said one of them used the ATM card of a missing sabungero to withdraw cash, while the other was seen escorting another victim in handcuffs.</p>

PNP said one of them used the ATM card of a missing sabungero to withdraw cash, while the other was seen escorting another victim in handcuffs.

‘Missing links’ in sabungeros case: Whistleblower's brothers arrested – PNP

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‘Missing links’ in sabungeros case: Whistleblower's brothers arrested – PNP

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 31, 2025 11:11 AM PHT

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Updated July 31, 2025 06:58 PM PHT

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