After four years in hiding, Julie “Totoy/Dondon” Patidongan, the key whistleblower in the case of the 34 missing sabungeros (cockfighters), has resurfaced and filed a formal complaint against 12 police officers allegedly involved in the abduction and killing of the victims.
In an affidavit submitted to NAPOLCOM on Monday, July 14, Patidongan claimed that the actual number of missing persons could exceed 100. Speaking at a press conference, Patidongan alleged that the victims were taken to a farm near Taal Lake, reportedly rented by one of the officers, where they were killed and their bodies dumped into the lake between 2021 and 2022.
When asked why he waited so long to come forward, Patidongan broke down in tears, saying,
“Anyone would be terrified when it comes to their family… I wasn’t afraid for myself—but for them. If you only knew, they threatened to kill my entire family.”
While he did not name who issued the threats, Patidongan directly accused businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang of being the mastermind behind the killings, alleging that Ang ordered the execution of sabungeros suspected of cheating or rigging matches.
“It’s okay if they kill me, but leave my family out of it,” he said.
Ang strongly denied the accusations and has since filed counter-charges against Patidongan for robbery, grave threats, and defamation.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard continues to search Taal Lake, where divers recently discovered five sacks containing charred human and animal bones.
NAPOLCOM said a resolution on the complaints filed by Patidongan is expected within 60 days.
