Latest news with #Patidongan
Filipino Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
PH seeks Japan's technical aid in searching for missing sabungeros
Justice Secretary Crispin 'Boying' Remulla has sought technical assistance from the Japanese government to help locate the bodies of missing sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts allegedly killed and dumped in Taal Lake. Remulla said he signed a letter requesting Japan's support for lakebed mapping and other technology to assist in the search operations. 'We need a scientific approach here. We cannot leave it to chance,' he said. The investigation is linked to the disappearance of over 30 individuals involved in the cockfighting industry, or sabong, in 2021. Interest in the unsolved cases resurfaced after a key witness, identified as Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan, claimed to know where the victims' bodies were submerged in the lake. Patidongan, a former mayoral candidate and former employee in the online cockfighting industry, has accused businessman Charlie 'Atong' Ang of masterminding the abductions. Ang has denied all allegations and filed charges of attempted robbery with violence and intimidation, grave threat, grave coercion, incrimination of innocent persons, and slander against Patidongan and Alan Bantiles alias 'Brown.' Remulla said multiple witnesses are now willing to testify about the alleged dumping of bodies in Taal Lake, which is located about two hours south of Metro Manila. He also confirmed that 15 unnamed personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) are under investigation and have been placed on restricted duty. 'They carried out the executions,' Remulla said. Taal Lake, home to an active island volcano, spans over 230 square kilometers and reaches depths of up to 172 meters.
GMA Network
20 hours ago
- GMA Network
Philippines asks Japan's help searching Taal Lake for missing sabungeros
Interest in the unsolved cases has surged since the televised appearance of a witness -- since identified as Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, a recent mayoral candidate -- who claimed to know where bodies had been submerged in Taal Lake. (Photo: Darlene Cay/GMA Integrated News) The Philippines' justice secretary said Friday he has asked for Japan's technical assistance to help the search for dozens of cockfighting participants allegedly killed by rogue police and dumped in a lake south of Manila. The case is tied to a spate of mysterious disappearances in 2022 in the Southeast Asian nation's huge cockfighting industry, known locally as "sabong". Interest in the unsolved cases has surged since the televised appearance of a witness -- since identified as Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, a recent mayoral candidate -- who claimed to know where bodies had been submerged in Taal Lake. Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said Friday he now had multiple witnesses who could "testify where (in the water) those missing persons were thrown". He added that a group of 15 unnamed national police officers were under investigation and put on restricted duty. "They carried out the executions," he said. "I just signed a letter for the Japanese government asking for assistance to enable us to do a lakebed mapping and... other technology that we need," Remulla added. "We need a scientific approach here. We cannot leave it to chance." Located about two hours south of the capital, Taal Lake is home to an active island volcano and spans more than 230 square kilometers (89 square miles) with a depth of 172 meters (564 feet) in some places. Patidongan initially appeared in silhouette in an interview with GMA Integrated News before later revealing himself, saying he feared for his life. He has identified Charlie ''Atong'' Ang, a man involved in livestreamed cockfighting operations, as the mastermind behind the disappearances. Ang has denied all charges and on Thursday filed a lawsuit accusing Patidongan, a former employee, of slander, threats and conspiracy to commit robbery. The justice department made a series of arrests in late 2022 of police and security personnel allegedly involved with the disappearance of 34 cockfight industry participants that Remulla said were "probably dead". Since his televised appearance, Patidongan has claimed the actual number could be as high as 100. 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. The sport, 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. —Agence France-Presse
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Police personnel receive up to P2M monthly payola from Atong Ang, says whistleblower
A whistleblower claimed that businessman Charlie 'Atong' Ang was paying some policemen up to P2 million monthly. In Emil Sumangil's exclusive report on '24 Oras' on Friday, Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan alleged that the go signal to abduct and kill the missing cockfight enthusiasts came from the businessman. Patidongan, who was former security chief in some of Ang's cockfight arenas, said that he was the one relaying the orders from Ang to the uniformed personnel. He recently turned over to the authorities the copies of petty cash vouchers for the cops. The highest amount allegedly paid was over P2.6 million to a police unit that allegedly did the job. 'Intel lang kasi nakalagay doon. Kapag sinabing intel, yun na yung P500,000, yun na yung bayad sa mga pinatay nila. Yung overall naman na kinukuha ng isang colonel, ang monthly niya ay P2 million,' said Patidongan. Patidongan vowed he would keep his statements until the trial. GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to Ang and the Philippine National Police for comments regarding his new allegations. Patidongan earlier said Ang and three others were behind the abductions from 2021 to 2022. He said more than 100 were killed after being taken away. He also said that actress Gretchen Barretto knew about the kidnappings. But Ang and Barreto have already denied the allegations.—GMA Integrated News
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Philippines asks Japan's help searching lake for missing cockfighters
MANILA: The Philippines' justice secretary said Friday (July 4) he has asked for Japan's technical assistance to help the search for dozens of cockfighting participants allegedly killed by rogue police and dumped in a lake south of Manila. The case is tied to a spate of mysterious disappearances in 2022 in the South-East Asian nation's huge cockfighting industry, known locally as "sabong". Interest in the unsolved cases has surged since the televised appearance of a witness - since identified as Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, a recent mayoral candidate - who claimed to know where bodies had been submerged in Lake Taal. Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said Friday he now had multiple witnesses who could "testify where (in the water) those missing persons were thrown". He added that a group of 15 unnamed national police officers were under investigation and put on restricted duty. "They carried out the executions," he said. "I just signed a letter for the Japanese government asking for assistance to enable us to do a lakebed mapping and... other technology that we need," Remulla added. "We need a scientific approach here. We cannot leave it to chance." Located about two hours south of the capital, Taal Lake is home to an active island volcano and spans more than 230 square kilometres with a depth of 172 metres in some places. Patidongan initially appeared in silhouette in an interview on local television outlet GMA before later revealing himself, saying he feared for his life. He has identified Charlie Ang, a man involved in livestreamed cockfighting operations, as the mastermind behind the disappearances. Ang has denied all charges and on Thursday filed a lawsuit accusing Patidongan, a former employee, of slander, threats and conspiracy to commit robbery. The justice department made a series of arrests in late 2022 of police and security personnel allegedly involved with the disappearance of 34 cockfight industry participants that Remulla said were "probably dead". Since his televised appearance, Patidongan has claimed the actual number could be as high as 100. 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. The sport, 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. - AFP
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Philippines asks Japan to help search for missing cockfighters
Published on: Friday, July 04, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 04, 2025 By: AFP Text Size: Filipinos from all walks of life wager millions of dollars on cockfighting matches every week. (EPA Images pic) MANILA: The Philippines' justice secretary said today he has asked for Japan's technical assistance to help the search for dozens of cockfighting participants allegedly killed by rogue police and dumped in a lake south of Manila. The case is tied to a spate of mysterious disappearances in 2022 in the Southeast Asian nation's huge cockfighting industry, known locally as 'sabong'. Advertisement Interest in the unsolved cases has surged since the televised appearance of a witness – since identified as Julie 'Dondon' Patidongan, a recent mayoral candidate – who claimed to know where bodies had been submerged in Lake Taal. Justice secretary Crispin Remulla said today he now had multiple witnesses who could 'testify where (in the water) those missing persons were thrown'. He added that a group of 15 unnamed national police officers were under investigation and put on restricted duty. 'They carried out the executions,' he said. 'I just signed a letter for the Japanese government asking for assistance to enable us to do a lakebed mapping and… other technology that we need,' Remulla added. 'We need a scientific approach here. We cannot leave it to chance.' Located about two hours south of the capital, Taal Lake is home to an active island volcano and spans more than 230sq km with a depth of 172m in some places. Patidongan initially appeared in silhouette in an interview on local television outlet GMA before later revealing himself, saying he feared for his life. He has identified Charlie Ang, a man involved in live streamed cockfighting operations, as the mastermind behind the disappearances. Ang has denied all charges and yesterday filed a lawsuit accusing Patidongan, a former employee, of slander, threats and conspiracy to commit robbery. The justice department made a series of arrests in late 2022 of police and security personnel allegedly involved with the disappearance of 34 cockfight industry participants that Remulla said were 'probably dead'. Since his televised appearance, Patidongan has claimed the actual number could be as high as 100. 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. The sport, 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 live streaming of cockfights shortly before leaving office in 2022, but it has continued due to lax enforcement. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
