Patidongan to file complaint affidavit vs cops linked to missing sabungeros

Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alias Totoy on Saturday announced he will be filing a complaint affidavit against police officers whom he claimed were involved in the case of missing sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts).

“Sa Lunes, pupunta ako ng NAPOLCOM (National Police Commission)… ‘Yung mga pulis na nabanggit ko ay kakasuhan ko na sa NAPOLCOM,” Patidongan said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(On Monday, I will go to NAPOLCOM. I will file a complaint against the police officers I mentioned.)

Last Saturday, NAPOLCOM vice chairperson Atty. Rafael Calinisan urged Patidongan to file a complaint affidavit with the agency against some police officers who were allegedly involved in the case of the missing sabungeros. 

The NAPOLCOM said earlier it already has a list of police officers linked to the case of the missing cockfight enthusiasts. 

The police commission has been investigating cops who were linked to the disappearance of the sabungeros for the administrative aspect of the case.

A total of 15 cops were placed under restrictive custody at Camp Crame, Quezon City for their alleged involvement in the abduction of the sabungeros as claimed by Patidongan.

Some of the 15 cops in restrictive custody were included in the list of those who allegedly received up to P2 million monthly payola from businessman Atong Ang, who was among the supposed masterminds in the disappearances, as claimed by Patidongan.

During the radio interview, Patidongan said one of the cops involved, who is still active in service, owns a fishpond in Taal Lake.

“Siguro doon dinala at doon isinagawa ang pagpaslang sa missing sabungeros,” he said.

(Maybe that is where the missing sabungeros were brought and where they were killed.)

On Thursday, Calinisan said another potential witness in the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts was able to send additional information or feelers on the case.

According to the NAPOLCOM official, the potential potential witness has a connection with Patidongan. 

A total of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts have been reported missing from 2021 to 2022. According to the police, the missing personalities were kidnapped allegedly due to match fixing or cheating in the cockfighting games.

Patidongan claimed that the victims were already buried in Taal Lake.

He named Atong Ang as a mastermind in the case and also linked actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearances. Both have denied the allegations. 

“Sa sobrang dami niyan, hindi ko masyadong matandaan kung ilan ang inilubog nila diyan (Taal Lake). Base sa mga video na sinend sa akin, talagang may inilubog diyan,” Patidongan said.

(Due to their big number, I cannot remember much how many [sabungeros] were thrown there.)

“Sa sobrang dami, ang ginagawa nilang mabilisan... baka chinop-chop nila 'yan... Nilagyan nila ng pabigat na buhangin...,” he said.

(Because there were so many of the missing sabungeros, they had to do the killing quick. It's possible that they chopped up their bodies. They put sand as added weight.)

Divers from the Philippine Coast Guard have found and are retrieving more sacks at the bottom of the Taal Lake in Batangas, following the retrieval of a sack containing what appeared to be burned human bones. —KG, GMA Integrated News