I. THE SHOCKING ACCUSATION AGAINST HIGH-PROFILE FIGURES

One of the most explosive revelations regarding the case of the Missing Sabungeros (Cockfighters) is the testimony of a witness named “Alias Totoy.” In a shocking twist, Totoy identified gaming tycoon Atong Ang and celebrity socialite Gretchen Barretto as the alleged masterminds behind the disappearances.

On July 4, 2025, Gretchen Barretto broke her silence through her legal counsel, Attorney Alma Mallonga. The lawyer vehemently denied the accusations, stating Gretchen had no involvement, participation, or connection to the missing sabungeros.

Her camp argued that Totoy’s claims were pure speculation without concrete evidence. They asserted that just because Gretchen is close to Atong Ang does not imply complicity in a crime. The lawyer emphasized that Gretchen and Atong are merely business partners, and she may have been dragged into the issue simply because she is an investor and an “Alpha Member” of the e-Sabong operations.

The defense believes Gretchen was named solely for publicity, as her fame would draw more attention to Totoy’s statements. They also questioned why her name was never mentioned during the initial Senate hearings if she was truly involved. Furthermore, Gretchen’s camp revealed an alleged extortion attempt, claiming someone tried to demand money to remove her name from the list of suspects.

II. ATONG ANG: THE GAMING TYCOON’S CONTROVERSIAL PAST

Before this scandal, Charlie “Atong” Ang was already a figure of immense controversy in the Philippines. From the impeachment of former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada in 2001 to the public feud of the Barretto sisters in 2019, his name has frequently appeared in headlines.

In 1998, Atong Ang was a consultant for PAGCOR under the Estrada administration. He was a central figure in the “Bingo 2-Ball” franchise controversy and the tobacco excise tax scandal, where whistleblower Chavit Singson accused him and Estrada of pocketing Php 130 Million. This led to plunder charges, prompting Atong to flee to the United States, where he was arrested in Las Vegas in 2002 for illegal gambling and extradition requests.

He was extradited to the Philippines in 2006 and eventually entered a plea bargain, admitting to the lesser offense of corrupting public officials and returning Php 25 Million. Years later, he reinvented himself as a legitimate gaming operator with “Pitmasters,” aiming to professionalize cockfighting.

However, during the height of the e-Sabong craze during the pandemic, Atong Ang issued a chilling public warning to game-fixers (those who “clone” videos or sabotage games). In a viral video, he warned agents and hackers to stop their activities, saying, “If you don’t stop, look at what might happen to you.” Some netizens interpreted his stuttering in one interview—”We need to k… we need to fight”—as a slip of the tongue, possibly meaning “kill.”

III. THE GRUESOME TESTIMONY: TAAL LAKE AND THE “PETICAS”

In the latest updates, witness Alias Totoy, a former security and farm manager for Atong Ang, described the alleged method of disposal. According to Totoy, the “missing” sabungeros were handcuffed by police, tied with tape, and assaulted until they perished.

He described a gruesome process where bodies were allegedly dismembered to facilitate easy disposal into Taal Lake. Totoy claimed the bodies were loaded onto boats and dumped in the middle of the lake or in fishponds owned by complicit police officers.

Totoy stated he did not see the killings personally but received videos via Viber, which he then showed to Atong Ang. He alleged that before Atong Ang helped him flee the country, he was ordered to burn his cellphone containing the incriminating videos.

Totoy also implicated Gretchen Barretto, claiming she was present at meetings and raised her hand in agreement with the order to “kidnap and eliminate” the cheating sabungeros. He argued it was impossible for Gretchen to oppose Atong, as she was always seated beside him during special meetings.

IV. THE POLICE PAYOFFS AND THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE

Perhaps the most damning evidence presented by Totoy were the “Peticas Vouchers.” These were documents allegedly proving Atong Ang paid protection money to high-ranking police officers to carry out the “dirty work.”

One voucher listed Php 2 Million for a Lieutenant Colonel, and another listed over Php 2.6 Million for a PNP unit operating against the sabungeros. Totoy claimed this monthly payout ensured police protection for the hitmen.

Currently, the DOJ has placed five implicated police officers under restricted duty. DOJ Secretary Remulla announced that witnesses are ready to point out the specific dumping grounds in Taal Lake. The government is seeking assistance from Japan for underwater technology to locate remains that may have been preserved by the lake’s deep, oxygen-deprived waters.

Conversely, another accused individual, Alan “Brown” Bantiles, threatened to countersue Atong Ang. Brown denied extorting Php 300 Million and claimed he had no knowledge of why he was being implicated.

As the investigation continues, the families of the missing sabungeros are left waiting. General Nicolas Torre III of the PNP confirmed that the search for remains will begin immediately, noting that Taal Lake might not be the only disposal site.