MANILA — The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has confirmed that 18 police officers, including both active and dismissed personnel, have been formally named in a complaint over the mysterious disappearance of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts, or sabungeros, between 2021 and 2022.
The complaint was filed by whistleblower and co-accused Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as alias Totoy, together with families of the missing individuals.
“It appears doon sa pinasa na complaint-affidavit ni alyas Totoy, 18 ‘yung pangalan na nandito sa aking mesa. Halo-halo ‘yan. Some of which are in the active service, some of which are dismissed,” said NAPOLCOM vice chairperson and executive officer Atty. Rafael Vicente Calinisan in an interview with GMA’s Unang Balita.
“So talagang hinihimay natin. Pero it appears parang labingtatlo ‘yung active, parang lima ‘yung dismissed sa listahan na binigay ni alyas Totoy,” he added.
While declining to disclose the full extent of the officers’ alleged involvement, Calinisan explained that NAPOLCOM is now operating in a quasi-judicial capacity following the submission of the formal complaint.
“Kailangan natin munang silipin ‘yung sagot ng mga respondents. So we are sending orders/summons to all of these respondents na sana sagutin nila ‘yung kasong ifinile ni alyas Totoy dito sa NAPOLCOM,” he said.
Patidongan, who personally filed the complaint-affidavit at the NAPOLCOM office on Monday alongside relatives of the victims, claimed that the police officers were involved in the abduction and transport of the missing sabungeros from various game farms to Taal Lake, where he alleged they were buried.
Currently, 15 police officers are under restrictive custody at Camp Crame in Quezon City due to their suspected involvement. These officers had been assigned to various regional and support units. One officer is set to retire, while three others have already been dismissed.
As early as January 2023, seven police officers linked to the case were already removed from service.
Authorities earlier said that the disappearances might have been motivated by suspicions of game-fixing in the high-stakes world of e-sabong.
Patidongan also accused businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang of masterminding the disappearances.
Ang publicly denied any involvement./PN
