NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Beneath The Surface: The Unfolding Mystery Of The Missing Sabungeros
FILE
It began quietly in 2021—one disappearance after another, each case adding to a puzzle that would take years to piece together. The victims were men tied to e-sabong, the billion-peso online cockfighting industry that had taken the Philippines by storm.
The first names surfaced on April 18, 2021. Johnver Francisco, an e-sabong worker, and his driver, Franc Tabaranza, vanished in Meycauayan, Bulacan. Ten days later, on April 28, another man—Michael Bautista from Santa Cruz, Laguna—was reportedly handcuffed by two men and taken away. Three others disappeared with him.
On May 11, the mystery deepened. Six men—Glenn Arzen Germar, Kiel Daniel A. Bohol, Mark Joseph C. Ignacio, Romaldo Agan Diano, Nerio Anticristo, and Eric Legaspi—were last seen at the United Association of Cockpit Owners & Operators of the Philippines, Inc. in Santa Cruz. Months later, on August 30, another man, Ricardo Lasco, was abducted in San Pablo, Laguna. And on December 29, five more men vanished at a cockpit arena linked to the same association.
By the end of the year, at least 34 sabungeros were missing. Their families pleaded for answers, but authorities were left chasing shadows. For months, the case stagnated, becoming one of the country’s most baffling mysteries—until a chilling revelation emerged in June 2025.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed that a key witness, identified only as “Totoy”, claimed the victims were dumped in Taal Lake. According to Totoy, the disappearances were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic killing spree, and the number of victims could be over 100, far exceeding initial reports. Totoy even provided the names of individuals allegedly involved in the operation.
“This is no longer about a few missing persons,” Remulla told reporters. “We could be looking at one of the most shocking mass killings in recent memory.”
The Department of Justice began preparing for a high-risk underwater search, working with the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard to comb the depths of Taal Lake. Weeks later, on July 11, the search yielded its first grim discovery.
Before dawn, divers surfaced carrying two large sacks, heavy and sealed in red nets. The sacks were turned over to Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO). Days later, on July 17, the worst fears of many families were confirmed: human remains were inside those sacks, including ribs and other bones.
The lake—long celebrated as a symbol of beauty—was now a suspected mass grave. Forensic experts began DNA analysis to identify the victims, while divers continued their search in treacherous waters.
Then came another twist. On July 29, a second witness stepped forward with what Remulla described as “tangible evidence” that not only supported Totoy’s claims but introduced details unknown even to investigators. The revelations intensified scrutiny on law enforcement, culminating in the relief of a senior police commander linked to the case.
By the end of July, the investigation exploded into public view with a name that had hovered in the shadows: Charlie “Atong” Ang. On August 1, Remulla accused Ang of being the mastermind behind the disappearances. “He is the main player in e-sabong. He is the boss of Totoy, and it was his money that funded the operations,” Remulla declared. Ang denied the allegations, calling them baseless, but the accusation sent shockwaves across the nation.
Meanwhile, two men who were once considered state witnesses—Elakim and Jose Patidongan, brothers of whistleblower Dondon Patidongan—were arrested on July 31 after being tracked down overseas. Evidence tied them to the victims, including surveillance footage and financial transactions. Their arrest painted a picture of a tightly knit network of operatives working under a chain of command fueled by money and power.
As if the case weren’t explosive enough, August 28 brought another shock: CIDG Chief Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz was preventively suspended by NAPOLCOM for grave misconduct linked to the case, a move intended to prevent evidence tampering and harassment of witnesses.
By the close of August 2025, the sabungeros case had transformed from a mystery into a national scandal—one that exposed a web of corruption, greed, and betrayal reaching deep into law enforcement and touching some of the most powerful names in the gambling world.
And yet, even with human remains recovered, arrests made, and high-profile figures implicated, the truth remains incomplete. The search in Taal Lake is far from over. Investigators continue to follow leads. More witnesses may come forward. Every day could bring new revelations—or uncover more horrors from the depths.
For the families of the missing men, the wait for justice has stretched into years. Now, as the investigation peels back layer after layer of secrets, one question looms larger than ever: how many more bodies lie beneath the surface, and how many more powerful names are still hiding in the shadows?
This is a story still being written—and its ending may change everything.
The first names surfaced on April 18, 2021. Johnver Francisco, an e-sabong worker, and his driver, Franc Tabaranza, vanished in Meycauayan, Bulacan. Ten days later, on April 28, another man—Michael Bautista from Santa Cruz, Laguna—was reportedly handcuffed by two men and taken away. Three others disappeared with him.
On May 11, the mystery deepened. Six men—Glenn Arzen Germar, Kiel Daniel A. Bohol, Mark Joseph C. Ignacio, Romaldo Agan Diano, Nerio Anticristo, and Eric Legaspi—were last seen at the United Association of Cockpit Owners & Operators of the Philippines, Inc. in Santa Cruz. Months later, on August 30, another man, Ricardo Lasco, was abducted in San Pablo, Laguna. And on December 29, five more men vanished at a cockpit arena linked to the same association.
By the end of the year, at least 34 sabungeros were missing. Their families pleaded for answers, but authorities were left chasing shadows. For months, the case stagnated, becoming one of the country’s most baffling mysteries—until a chilling revelation emerged in June 2025.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed that a key witness, identified only as “Totoy”, claimed the victims were dumped in Taal Lake. According to Totoy, the disappearances were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic killing spree, and the number of victims could be over 100, far exceeding initial reports. Totoy even provided the names of individuals allegedly involved in the operation.
“This is no longer about a few missing persons,” Remulla told reporters. “We could be looking at one of the most shocking mass killings in recent memory.”
The Department of Justice began preparing for a high-risk underwater search, working with the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard to comb the depths of Taal Lake. Weeks later, on July 11, the search yielded its first grim discovery.
Before dawn, divers surfaced carrying two large sacks, heavy and sealed in red nets. The sacks were turned over to Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO). Days later, on July 17, the worst fears of many families were confirmed: human remains were inside those sacks, including ribs and other bones.
The lake—long celebrated as a symbol of beauty—was now a suspected mass grave. Forensic experts began DNA analysis to identify the victims, while divers continued their search in treacherous waters.
Then came another twist. On July 29, a second witness stepped forward with what Remulla described as “tangible evidence” that not only supported Totoy’s claims but introduced details unknown even to investigators. The revelations intensified scrutiny on law enforcement, culminating in the relief of a senior police commander linked to the case.
By the end of July, the investigation exploded into public view with a name that had hovered in the shadows: Charlie “Atong” Ang. On August 1, Remulla accused Ang of being the mastermind behind the disappearances. “He is the main player in e-sabong. He is the boss of Totoy, and it was his money that funded the operations,” Remulla declared. Ang denied the allegations, calling them baseless, but the accusation sent shockwaves across the nation.
Meanwhile, two men who were once considered state witnesses—Elakim and Jose Patidongan, brothers of whistleblower Dondon Patidongan—were arrested on July 31 after being tracked down overseas. Evidence tied them to the victims, including surveillance footage and financial transactions. Their arrest painted a picture of a tightly knit network of operatives working under a chain of command fueled by money and power.
As if the case weren’t explosive enough, August 28 brought another shock: CIDG Chief Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz was preventively suspended by NAPOLCOM for grave misconduct linked to the case, a move intended to prevent evidence tampering and harassment of witnesses.
By the close of August 2025, the sabungeros case had transformed from a mystery into a national scandal—one that exposed a web of corruption, greed, and betrayal reaching deep into law enforcement and touching some of the most powerful names in the gambling world.
And yet, even with human remains recovered, arrests made, and high-profile figures implicated, the truth remains incomplete. The search in Taal Lake is far from over. Investigators continue to follow leads. More witnesses may come forward. Every day could bring new revelations—or uncover more horrors from the depths.
For the families of the missing men, the wait for justice has stretched into years. Now, as the investigation peels back layer after layer of secrets, one question looms larger than ever: how many more bodies lie beneath the surface, and how many more powerful names are still hiding in the shadows?
This is a story still being written—and its ending may change everything.
Sep 6, 2025
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