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NAPOLCOM imposes preventive suspension vs 12 cops over missing sabungeros
The National Police Commission on Monday said it has imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on 12 police officers in connection with the investigation into the case of missing sabungeros.
Based on the resolutions issued by the NAPOLCOM, the suspended police officers are identified as the following:
- Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa
- Police Major Mark Philip Simborio Almedilla
- Police Executive Master Sergeant Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan
- Police Chief Master Sergeant Arturo Opalla Dela Cruz Jr.
- Police Staff Master Sergeant Joey Natanauan Encarnacion
- Police Staff Master Sergeant Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique
- Police Staff Master Sergeant Anderson Orozco Abary
- Police Staff Sergeant Alfredo Uy Andes
- Police Staff Sergeant Edmon Hernandez Muñoz
- Police Corporal Angel Joseph Ferro Martin
- Police Staff Sergeant Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio
- Police Colonel Jacinto Rodriguez Malinao Jr.
GMA News Online reached out to Malinao for comment on the matter and will publish it once available. The PNP was also asked for the contact numbers of other police personnel involved but GMA News Online has yet to receive a response.
The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on 12 police officers in connection with the investigation into the case of missing sabungeros. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/WFg0bIxULt
— Joviland Rita (@jovilandxrita) August 4, 2025
On July 14, whistleblower and one of the accused Julie “Dondon” Patidongan as well as the families of the missing sabungeros filed a complaint-affidavit against some cops who were allegedly linked to the disappearances.
As early as January 2023, seven cops allegedly involved in the crime were already dismissed from the service.
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 businessman Atong Ang as a mastermind in the case and also linked actress Gretchen Barretto and former National Capital Region Police Office chief retired Police General Jonnel Estomo to the disappearances.
The three have denied the allegations.
Atty. Gabriel Villareal, Ang’s legal counsel, said the businessman is ready to face the murder and serious illegal detention complaint filed against him by families of the missing sabungeros with the Department of Justice.
“We maintain my client’s innocence...It is lamentable though that the public is being deceived by the wolf in sheep’s clothing, and being the master manipulator that he is, has embedded himself among the victims of the tragedy that he himself has perpetrated,” the lawyer said.
Estomo, for his part, said he will present evidence to clear his name as he described Patidongan's claims as baseless. He said he will also file charges against Patidongan. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
