MANILA – A key witness in the high-profile case of the missing sabungeros is set to file a formal complaint against several police officers allegedly involved in the abduction and presumed killing of at least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts.
Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as Totoy, confirmed his intent to file charges before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) following a public appeal from NAPOLCOM vice chairperson Atty. Rafael Calinisan.
“Sa Lunes, pupunta ako ng NAPOLCOM… ‘Yung mga pulis na nabanggit ko ay kakasuhan ko na sa NAPOLCOM,” Patidongan said in an interview with DZBB AM radio over the weekend.
The NAPOLCOM has launched an administrative probe and compiled a list of police personnel linked to the disappearances, based largely on Patidongan’s previous testimonies.
So far, 15 police officers have been placed under restrictive custody at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Some of those in custody were allegedly among the recipients of monthly payouts of up to P2 million from businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, whom Patidongan named as one of the suspected masterminds behind the series of abductions.
Patidongan also claimed that one of the officers still in active service owns a fishpond in Taal Lake, Batangas — which he believes may have been used to carry out and conceal the killings.
“Siguro doon dinala at doon isinagawa ang pagpaslang sa missing sabungeros,” he said.
The Philippine Coast Guard has since intensified its search operations in the area and is currently retrieving more sacks believed to contain the remains of the victims from the bottom of Taal Lake.
From 2021 to 2022, at least 34 sabungeros were reported missing, with authorities suspecting the cases were linked to cheating or match-fixing schemes in high-stakes cockfighting events./PN
