Whistleblower: 30 other people involved in missing sabungeros case

Family members of the missing sabungeros call for justice during a media conference in Quezon City on July 14, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA — Thirty other individuals could be involved in the case of missing "sabungeros", Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday, citing information from whistleblower Julie Patidongan. 

Remulla, who met with  Patidongan earlier in the day, said the whistleblower did not give additional details on the location of the missing sabungeros and had instead talked about "some other people who may be involved." 

Patidongan earlier linked 15 policemen, businessman Charlie Atong Ang, and actress Gretchen Barretto to the 2022 disappearances in the country's huge cockfighting industry.  

PCG halts 'sabungeros' search in Taal Lake due to bad weather

Patidongan was accompanied by two of his lawyers at the DOJ. He refused to answer questions from the media.

Remulla said it was important to continuously talk with Patidongan. 

“Syempre iyong demeanor ng witness dapat talaga isama namin but so far so good, very reliable,” Remulla said.

“We are still getting information and some clarifications kasi marami talaga siyang data na alam, we have to know what he knows,” the official said.

The case erupted back into the public consciousness last month with the televised appearance of Patidongan, who claimed to know where bodies had been submerged in Lake Taal.

Located about two hours south of Manila, the lake spans more than 230 square kilometers and reaches depths of 172 metres in some places.

Technical divers of the Coast Guard paused their underwater search in Taal on Friday due to bad weather, according to Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano.

“Elevated turbidity levels significantly reduced underwater visibility resulting in unfavorable condition for the conduct of any diving operations,” Clavano said.

Human bones found in Taal in missing sabungeros search: PNP

Remulla said the suspension of the search was temporary.

“Hold lang iyon kasi iyon nga the weather does not permit us to carry out a good search kaya nga sinasabi ko six months, kasi marami tayog bubuin na conditions para maging complete ang ating search,” he said.

Filipinos from all walks of life wager millions of dollars on matches every week between roosters who fight to the death with razor-sharp metal spurs tied to their legs.

Cockfighting, banned in many other countries, survived coronavirus pandemic restrictions by going online, drawing many more gamblers who use their mobile phones to place wagers.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte banned the livestreaming of cockfights shortly before leaving office in 2022, but it has continued due to lax enforcement.

-- With a report from Agence France-Presse