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/File
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday his entire administration is working to resolve the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros), vowing that those responsible will be held fully accountable and face severe punishment.
"Nagtutulungan ang buong pamahalaan para lutasin ang mga kaso ng mga nawawala dahil sa walang pakundangang kagagawan ng mga sindikato sa likod ng madilim na mundo ng mga sabungan," Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
(The entire government is working together to resolve the cases of those who have gone missing due to the ruthless actions of syndicates operating behind the dark world of cockfighting.)
Marcos said the government will go after the masterminds and all those involved in the case, whether they are civilians or officials.
"Kahit malakas, mabigat o mayaman, hindi sila mangingibabaw sa batas," he said.
(No matter how powerful or wealthy they are, they will not be above the law.)
"Higit sa lahat, ipaparamdam natin sa mga salarin ang bigat ng parusa sa karumal-dumal na krimen na mga ito," he added.
(Above all, we will make the perpetrators feel the full weight of the punishment for these heinous crimes.)
Around 30 individuals were initially reported missing between 2021 and 2022 in connection with alleged game fixing in online cockfighting (e-sabong), though some claims suggest the number may be higher.
The case of the “missing sabungeros” recently gained greater attention after Julie Patidongan, also known by the aliases “Totoy” and “Dondon,” claimed that the missing individuals were already dead and that their bodies had been dumped in Taal Lake.
Authorities have recovered human bones during search operations in Taal Lake. However, it has yet to be confirmed whether the remains belong to the missing individuals.
Patidongan accused businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto of being involved in the disappearances, though both have denied the allegations.
The National Police Commission has also launched an investigation into the alleged involvement of several police officers in the disappearance of the sabungeros.