For the latest updates on the missing sabungeros case, jump to this section.
In June, GMA News released a tell-all interview with missing sabungeros case suspect and whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who initially used the alias “Totoy.” Following the revelations and claims he made in the interview, authorities have pushed forward with their investigations into the case.
After he alleged that the 34 missing sabungeros were kidnapped, killed, and most likely dumped in Taal Lake, Batangas, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) launched dives into the lake on July 10.
Meanwhile, PNP chief General Nicolas Torre III said that 15 police officers linked to the case have been placed in “restrictive custody” in Camp Crame, Quezon City. According to Torre, the officers are being investigated for both criminal and administrative cases, and that other personalities in the police force may be identified as well with further investigation.
Patidongan also claimed that e-sabong tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang is the mastermind behind the disappearances, while former actress and Ang’s investor Gretchen Barretto voted on the kidnappings. Both Ang and Barretto have denied these claims through their legal counsel.
Patidongan claimed that Ang ordered the kidnappings of the sabungeros due to alleged cheating and game-fixing. “Gumagawa kasi sila ng kalokohan, pandaraya sa sabong kaya gusto ni ipaligpit ni Mr. Atong Ang, sahil ayaw niyang masira ang kanyang online sabong at liliit ang kanyang kita,” Ang’s former security personnel and farm manager said.
From April 2021 to January 2022, sabungeros, drivers, a chicken feed seller, a “helper,” and his girlfriend — now collectively called the “missing sabungeros” — went missing in Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, and Manila. In February 2022, the PNP and DOJ began investigating the disappearances. In March 2022, the Senate launched its probe into the case, where Ang first denied his involvement. In December 2022, three police officers were indicted in connection to the disappearance of a sabungero named Ricardo Lasco, one of the 34.
Patidongan is among six suspects in the case that previously sought bail through the Supreme Court in May. The DOJ has also made Ang and Barretto suspects, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla told reporters on July 3.
Here’s the latest news on the search and investigations.
Last updated 6:25 p.m., December 12, 2025. This is a developing story. Bookmark this page to stay updated.
Latest Updates
Ang, 15 Cops Indicted as Complaint vs. Barretto Dropped
On Wednesday, December 10, the DOJ dismissed the complaint filed against Barretto and others who had been accused of involvement in the missing sabungeros case. In a resolution, the DOJ said that there is no evidence of Barretto giving direct orders, participating in logistics, or having knowledge of the kidnappings.
Meanwhile, Ang and 15 police officers were charged with 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide. Additionally, the businessman faces 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention. According to DOJ Spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez, the cases will be filed in the regional trial courts of Lipa City, Batangas, Sta. Cruz in Laguna, and San Pablo in Laguna.
PNP Gears Up for Arrests, Awaits Resolution on Case
The PNP said on Thursday, October 23, that local police units and the CIDG have been instructed to be prepared to make arrests once the DOJ finalizes a resolution on the case. The resolution concerns the murder and kidnapping complaints lodged against Ang, Barretto, and several others.
State prosecutors are to decide whether the complaints should be dismissed or if they should recommend the filing of charges in court.
“Once an arrest warrant is issued, the PNP will immediately act in coordination with the concerned units and the courts to ensure its proper and lawful implementation,” said PNP Acting Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
Gretchen Barretto Attends DOJ Hearing, Submits Counter-affidavit
Barretto and her legal counsel asserted her innocence before the DOJ at a hearing on Thursday, September 18. Her attendance was in response to the murder and serious illegal detention complaints filed by families of victims. According to ABS-CBN News, only a few respondents, including Barretto, attended the hearing, and only the former actress filed a counter-affidavit. Ang, who was subpoenaed by the prosecutors, did not attend the hearing.
The preliminary hearing was held by a panel of state prosecutors, aiming to decide if the current evidence and testimonies are sufficient to file a formal case in court. Her lawyer, Atty. Alma Mallonga, said that they will “abide by the process” and that they have “done [their] part” by attending the hearing and submitting a counter-affidavit. Mallonga also argued that the accusations against Barretto are “unsubstantiated, unproven… incredible, and made by a witness who himself lacks credibility.”
Subpoenas vs. 60 Individuals Issued as Human Skulls Retrieved from Taal
The DOJ said on September 10 that the prosecutors have issued subpoenas against 60 individuals, compelling them to provide their side of the case. According to DOJ Spokesperson Mico Clavano, the National Prosecution Service started personally serving subpoenas on September 9. “Dahil po marami ‘yan sila and we usually serve that personally, the service is still ongoing,” Clavano said. Ang is among those subpoenaed.
Clavano also said that two more human skulls have been retrieved from Taal, and that they will immediately go through DNA testing. According to him, no family members have identified any of the remains so far based on clothing.
Ang, Barretto to be Invited to House Probe, on Immigration Lookout
On Friday, Manila First District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. told Bilyonaryo TV that the House Committee on Human Rights plans to invite Ang and Barretto to attend its probe on the case. “Later on, papatawag din natin [si Ang] sapagkat he was charged for murder, even I think Gretchen Barretto.
Abante added that Patidongan and his brother Elakim — case suspects and accusers of Ang and Barretto — and the 18 police officers linked to the case will also be invited to the probe.
While Ang has been charged with murder by relatives of the victims, no cases have been filed against Barretto. The two have also been included in the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order, after Remulla said that one of them has been recorded to have left the country. The DOJ is not sure if they have returned.
Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon also said earlier in the week that prosecutors have yet to determine whether they should apply for a precautionary hold departure order against Ang and Barretto, preventing them from leaving the country.
No DNA Matches to 401 Skeletal Remains as Divers Contract Illnesses
DOJ Assistant Secretary Eliseo Cruz told lawmakers that a total of 401 human skeletal remains have been found so far, citing numbers from the PNP Forensic Group during the Senate’s first hearing on the case on Wednesday, August 27. According to the PCG, these remains were recovered from 17 different locations around the Taal Lake.
Of the recovered bone fragments, 163 pieces had been examined with DNA samples from 29 relatives of the victims, PNP Forensic Group Director Brigadier General Danilo Bacas said. However, none of the bones match the DNA samples. Bacas also said the remaining 238 pieces could no longer be used as they had deteriorated.
During the hearing, Cruz also said that the PCG’s technical divers have been contracting various illnesses due to extended exposure to the lake’s waters, namely skin irritation, ear infection, diarrhea, coughs, and colds. The search team, which includes PNP scene of the crime operatives, is also wary of a species of venomous water snake endemic to Taal Lake. Cruz said there is currently no antidote for the snake’s venom, citing the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
2 Cops Linked to 2 EJK cases
Rappler reports that two of the 18 police officers facing administrative cases in relation to the missing sabungeros are linked to the war on drugs. Police Senior Master Sergeants Anderson Abary and Mark Anthony Manrique appear in Rappler’s database of reinvestigated drug war cases. Both were involved in the cases of Edgar Bonoan Layos Jr. and Rodolfo Mayorca, whose deaths both occurred in Laguna in 2018. Abary and Manrique were demoted after the Layos case, which was provisionally closed due to a lack of evidence, but remained on active duty.
Abary is no longer active, while Manrique is one of the 12 active cops who have been placed in restrictive custody.
Relatives of Missing Sabungeros File Charges Against Key Suspect Atong Ang
In a press conference on August 1, the DOJ confirmed that Atong Ang, businessman and key suspect of the missing sabungeros case, and his associates have been charged with multiple counts of murder and illegal detention by the relatives of the victims. According to Remulla, they have a witness to testify that Ang was involved in the crimes as the “mastermind” and “head of the organization.” “Malinaw sa amin ang aming katungkulan na daanin at dalhin sa paglilitis itong kasong ‘to. Ito ang aming tungkulin na sinumpaan sa aming mga posisyon,” Remulla said. Ang continues to deny the accusations made by Patindongan, and has filed countersuits against him, including of slander.
No DNA Profiles from Bones
Police said on July 31 that no DNA profiles could be extracted from the bones found in Taal Lake. According to PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo, this may be because the bones were submerged for a long time, leading to contamination. As of late July, 91 bone fragments have been found, including a skull.
Meanwhile, the PNP was able to get DNA profiles from the three bodies exhumed in a Batangas cemetery. However, none of them matched any of the 23 samples submitted by families of the missing individuals.
DOJ Finds Second Witness in Missing Sabungeros Case
On July 29, Remulla told reporters that a second witness has surfaced in the case of the missing sabungeros, potentially strengthening the testimony by Patidongan. The witness, whose identity has been withheld in the meantime, possesses both direct knowledge of the disappearances, as well as “hard evidence” that supports testimonial accounts. “There is real evidence here. Aside from just the story, it comes with its own actual supporting proof,” Remulla said.
12 Active Police Officers Charged With Administrative offenses
On July 29, Edman Pares, the Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) Director of National Police Commission (NAPOCOLM), announced that their division found probable cause to charge 12 active policemen for administrative offenses in relation to the missing sabungeros case.
Police Col. Jacinto Rodriguez Malinao Jr., who is the Provincial Director of the PNP Batangas Office, was charged with grave misconduct, grave neglect of duty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer, Pares said.
Marcos Vows to Persecute Masterminds of Missing Sabungeros in 4th Sona
On July 28, during his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vowed to go after the “big fishes” or criminal syndicates behind the missing sabungeros, stating: “Hahabulin at pananagutin natin ang mga utak at mga sangkot, sibilyan man o opisyal. Kahit malakas, mabigat, o mayaman, hindi sila mangi-ngibabaw sa batas.”
“”Nagtutulungan ang buong pamahalaan para lutasin ang mga kaso ng mga nawawala dahil sa walang pakundangang kagagawan ng mga sindikato sa likod ng madilim na mundo ng mga sabungan,” he said.
NAPOCOLM Warns Against Influencing Investigation
On July 21, NAPOCOLM released a press statement identifying “two groups” — a “local sabong boss” and a “local government executive” — in influencing the investigation on the 34 missing sabungeros. “I won’t allow it. We will not arrange a settlement,” says Rafael Calinisan, Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer of NAPOCOLM. “Perhaps, my only message to the two groups: don’t try it. The president’s orders are clear in that there will be no cover-ups, no stone unturned.”
Human Ribs Found in Taal
On July 17, Remulla said that authorities have recovered human ribs in Taal Lake. Four sacks were found, two filled with sand and two containing skeletal remains, according to an Inquirer report. The area where they were found was identified by a group of boatmen named by Patidongan.
Authorities Explore Possible Link to EJKs as Bodies Exhumed
On July 16, Remulla said that authorities have dug up at least three unidentified bodies in a public cemetery in the town of Laurel, Batangas. Grave digger Magdaleno Salamatin told GMA that the bodies were only delivered to the cemetery and were already decomposing when they were buried.
“Hindi ko kilala, sir,” said Salamatin. “Basta dine-deliver lang sa akin ‘yun. Inaabisa lang sa akin at nire-report lang sa akin na, ‘mag-ready ka at may salvage na ililibing tayo.”
Remulla said that while the investigation remains focused on the missing sabungeros case, there may be intersections with the extrajudicial killings. “‘Yong actors e, ‘yong mga taong involved sa what we call enforced disappearances, parang nagkatugma na isang grupo ginamit pareho. They were part of the drug war and they were part of the disposition dito sa e-sabong,” he said.
Sabungeros’ Families File Complaint v.s. 12 Cops
On July 14, Patidongan and families of the victims filed complaints against 12 police officers before the National Police Commission. According to a Philstar.com report, Patidongan suggested that some of the officers may be involved in the drug war operations of the Duterte administration.
Divers Find Sacks of Bones in Taal
On July 11, the PCG deployed 30 tactical divers in Taal Lake to search for remains. After finding a sack of what appeared to be burnt bones on Thursday, divers reportedly spotted more sacks at the bottom of the lake, but their contents are unclear as of this writing.
On July 15, six of the 91 pieces of bones retrieved from the lake were found to be of human origin, according to police.
Ang and Barretto Deny Involvement
After Barretto was tagged as a suspect in the case on July 3, her legal counsel Attorney Alma Mallonga maintained that the former actress had no knowledge of the cockfighting and gambling operations. “She denies it, categorically… Because the fact of the matter is wala siyang kinalaman doon, wala siyang ginawa, wala siyang sinabi that connects with the disappearance of the sabungeros,” Mallonga told GMA News.
Ang denied his involvement in the case as early as 2022, during the Senate’s probe into the disappearances. In the Senate inquiry, Ang confirmed that Patidongan worked for him but also denied their involvement in the case. After Patidongan’s interview with GMA, Ang’s camp claimed that the whistleblower was only trying to extort P300 million from him. In a Teleradyo interview, his legal counsel Atty. Lorna Kapunan said, “All of these people who have disappeared, whose whereabouts are unknown or presumably killed were under [Patidongan’s] direct supervision.”
