On Thursday, government divers launched a high-risk underwater retrieval operation in Taal Lake, Batangas, to locate the remains of the missing sabungeros—cockfighting enthusiasts—who were allegedly executed and dumped into the lake. The operation is being jointly conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Philippine National Police (PNP), following serious claims made by a whistleblower.
Photos From ABS-CBN News
PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Guirao-Cayabyab stated that the search in Taal Lake presents a unique challenge due to the lake’s vast expanse and unpredictable depth. “This is the first time an underwater operation of this scale is being conducted in Taal Lake,” Guirao-Cayabyab said, citing concerns over visibility and safety.
The search effort stems from explosive revelations made by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as “Totoy,” who claimed that over 100 individuals were either killed or disappeared in connection with illegal gambling activities, including cockfighting and jueteng. According to Patidongan, the victims were executed after allegedly being caught cheating during cockfights.
Patidongan also linked well-known businessman Atong Ang to the killings, alleging that Ang wanted to preserve the integrity of cockfighting operations by eliminating cheaters. “These men were killed to serve as a warning. They were silenced because they were believed to have stained the reputation of the gambling operations,” Patidongan said in a previous interview.
However, Ang has strongly denied any involvement in the disappearances or killings. In multiple statements, he has distanced himself from the accusations, calling them “baseless” and “politically motivated.”
The mystery surrounding the missing sabungeros has gripped the nation since their disappearances were first reported in early 2022. Despite several investigations and Senate hearings, no concrete leads were uncovered—until Patidongan’s testimony revived public interest and prompted this unprecedented search.
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Authorities say the search may take days or even weeks, depending on weather conditions and the state of the lakebed. Meanwhile, families of the missing continue to wait anxiously for answers, hoping that this operation will finally provide long-overdue closure to a chilling chapter in Philippine gambling history.