Latest news with #sabungeros
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
The Philippine murder mystery spoiling Taal Lake's catch
The volcanic mist that hung over Taal Lake last week seemed to thicken with every rumour. Where fishermen once cast their nets, search teams trawled the depths for sacks of secrets. Since July 10, up to 40 technical divers from the Philippines ' coastguard, aided by a remotely operated submersible, have recovered five sacks containing 'suspicious objects' from the lake's dark depths. The search, triggered by the bombshell revelations of whistle-blower Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan, has left the local community in Batangas province, some 63km (40 miles) south of Manila, reeling while sending shock waves across the nation. Patidongan's macabre account is harrowing. He claims at least 35 missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) were kidnapped and slowly strangled with wire before their bodies were stuffed into weighted sacks and dumped in the lake near the municipality of Laurel. He has implicated police officers allegedly corrupted by his former employer, gambling tycoon Charlie 'Atong' Ang, and warned that up to 100 murdered men could have been dumped in the murky waters.
UAE Moments
03-07-2025
- UAE Moments
Atong Ang, Gretchen Barretto Linked to Missing Sabungeros
The mystery behind the over 100 missing sabungeros (cockfighters) took a shocking turn after whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, a former security head for cockfight operations, named businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto as being involved in the disappearances. In an exclusive 24 Oras interview, Patidongan called Ang the " mastermind" behind the abductions of sabungeros allegedly caught cheating. He also claimed Barretto was well aware of what was happening. Alleged Orders and Cover-Up Patidongan explained how cheating at cockfights was monitored and reported to Ang. Those caught were allegedly detained or worse, on Ang's orders. He said, "Ang is the main mastermind. He gave the orders to take them out." Barretto, he claimed, was fully aware, saying: "She's always with Mr. Atong Ang." Why Speak Up Now? When asked why he stayed quiet for so long, Patidongan said he finally spoke out because he trusts the current PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, whom he believes can't be bought. He also denied being part of the kidnappings, saying he was just following orders as a farm manager. Ang's Camp Responds Atong Ang's camp plans to file charges against Patidongan, accusing him of extortion. Patidongan, unfazed, denied the claims, saying he turned down hush money offers because his life and his family's safety were on the line. Patidongan also publicly called on President Marcos Jr. to help resolve the case and give justice to the missing sabungeros' families. Whistleblower Reveals Dark Details Behind Missing Sabungeros Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan, the former security chief turned whistleblower, spilled more chilling claims about what happened to the missing sabungeros. He said the abducted cockfighters were killed, tied into sacks filled with sand, and dumped into Taal Lake. Even more disturbing? Patidongan claimed that police officers were the ones picking up the victims from their homes, allegedly paid millions for the job. As a proof of their accomplished job, they would send him videos showing the torture and killings.
