The House of Representatives’ Quad Committee (QuadComm) will revive its investigation into the case of more than 100 missing cockfighting enthusiasts or sabungeros in the 20th Congress, a move that coincides with Malacañang’s assurance of a continued and transparent probe amid recent developments.
Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante, co-chair of the QuadComm and former House human rights panel chair, said the issue will fall under the committee’s focus on extrajudicial killings. Abante emphasized that the victims were denied due process and likely murdered without legal recourse.
“The fact that more than a hundred sabungeros—whether they cheated or not—were not given due process and just disappeared or were killed is alarming. Congress has to act on that,” Abante said in an interview.
Abante recalled raising the issue early on during the 19th Congress, noting that eight of the missing sabungeros were his constituents.
“When this first happened in my district, I had already delivered a privileged speech in Congress. I’m glad it’s getting attention again. It’s no longer just eight or 34; now it’s over 100. It’s time to tackle the issue seriously,” he said.
The QuadComm also plans to invite whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan—who earlier implicated prominent personalities, including businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and actress Gretchen Barreto—as well as representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other possible witnesses.
“Definitely we’ll invite [Patidongan], and perhaps even Atong Ang. Of course, we’ll call in the PNP since they have officers in custody now. We need to shed light on what truly happened to the missing sabungeros,” Abante added.
Palace: No Cover-Up, Only Justice
In a parallel development, Malacañang vowed Friday that there would be no whitewashing in the investigation, following the discovery of a sack containing charred human bones at the side of Taal Lake in Laurel, Batangas—an area previously linked to the case.
“Kung ito po ay mapapatunayang talagang konektado, ito’y nagpapakita lamang na ang Pangulo at ang kasalukuyang administrasyon ay tutulong upang makamtan ang hustisya para sa mga biktima,” said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro in a briefing.
Castro reiterated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a full investigation and that no one would be spared.
“Hindi po ito pababayaan, hindi po magkakaroon ng cover-up. Tuluy-tuloy pa rin po ang pag-iimbestiga,” she added.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the remains were retrieved by a team from the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard. Forensic testing will determine whether the bones are human and if they are linked to the sabungeros case.
Patidongan previously alleged that the victims were killed and dumped into Taal Lake. Ang, in response, filed a complaint against Patidongan for extortion, claiming he was being asked for P300 million. Ang and Barreto have both denied involvement in the disappearances.
The 20th Congress will open its first session on July 28, with committee memberships to be finalized shortly after.