This case is becoming even more serious. Several well-known personalities are now being implicated, with one senator allegedly involved. On July 2, 2025, a man known as Alias Totoy came forward and admitted who the mastermind was behind the disappearance of the cockfighters. According to him, it wasn’t just 34 individuals who went missing and were killed — the number has reportedly reached nearly 100.

Alias Totoy revealed his real identity as Julie Patogonon, also known as Dondon. He was the Chief of a Security Agency in charge of farms and cockpits owned by the businessman he is implicating in the disappearances. Between April 2021 and January 2022, cockfighters mysteriously went missing across different parts of Luzon.

According to their families, these cockfighters had informed their loved ones that they were just attending cockfighting events in Manila Arena, Lipa, Batangas, and Laguna. But none of them were ever seen or heard from again. On April 28, a video was captured showing cockfighter Michael Bautista in handcuffs, being held by two men who appeared to be arresting him.

On August 30, 2021, CCTV footage captured a group of men kidnapping Ricardo Lasco from his home in San Pablo, Laguna. Ricardo was a breeder and participant in online cockfights. The men, who claimed to be NBI agents, took him along with a box containing money, jewelry, and watches. They also took valuable belongings from Ricardo’s relatives.

In an interview, Alias Totoy presented a video as proof, showing Ricardo blindfolded and being interrogated by the kidnappers about his accomplices in online cheating operations. Totoy stated that Ricardo was killed on the same day he was kidnapped.

The families of the missing cockfighters began to demand a police investigation into the disappearances. According to the findings, the possible motive for the abductions was game-fixing.

In other words, cheating was taking place in the cockfighting matches. According to a handler, selling matches — referred to as “pangyopyope” — was a common method of cheating. Some cockfighters were allegedly releasing weaker roosters, called “tsupi,” to lose on purpose. They would then bet on the opposing roosters to make money.

After the case blew up, the Senate held a hearing on March 21, 2022, to investigate the disappearance of the cockfighters. Three witnesses came forward. Two of them were brothers who claimed they had been abducted even before the issue became public. One of them, Alvin Indon, testified.

According to Alvin, he and his brother were caught fixing matches in Santa Cruz, Laguna in November 2020. While being held by security guards, Alvin said he overheard Atong Ang speaking with Alias Totoy.

Alias Totoy identified Atong Ang — a gaming tycoon and owner of Lucky 8 Star Quest, operator of cockpits in Santa Cruz and Manila Arena — as the mastermind. Julie Patogonon, a.k.a. Dondon, was now the whistleblower in the case.

Alvin said he heard Alias Totoy call Atong Ang “Boss A” and claim over the phone, “Boss A, we’ve got more cheaters here.” The call was on loudspeaker, and Alvin recognized the hoarse voice of Atong Ang.

Allegedly, Atong Ang instructed Totoy to force the cheaters to admit who their boss was, and if they refused, they were to be killed. At the Senate hearing, Alias Totoy denied ever calling Atong Ang “Boss A,” claiming he always referred to him simply as “amo” (employer).

Atong Ang confirmed knowing Alias Totoy and said he had assigned him to manage his farm. Alvin further testified that they were turned over to the Provincial Intelligence Division in Laguna, where he saw officers Navarrete and Police Master Sergeant Michael Claveria, who were allegedly working with Totoy.

Alvin said police told him that Atong Ang had called and ordered them to kill him and his brother for Php5,000 per head. The police denied this. Claveria claimed they had arrested Alvin during a legitimate buy-bust operation, not at the cockpit. Alvin insisted it was all staged — they were given a choice: face a fake drug charge or be killed.

Alvin said the police warned him not to resist or they would kill them all. He was lucky to escape. Atong Ang also appeared in court to clear his name, denying all allegations and calling it a conspiracy by his business rivals.

Atong pointed to former Laguna police chief Rogart Campo, claiming Rogart offered to abduct cheating cockfighters and insisted on involving his police subordinates. Atong claimed Rogart had no mercy and even targeted innocent people.

Rogart denied the accusations, calling it a slip of the tongue. Atong speculated that his enemies in the business were framing him. He also alleged that financiers — who lost money due to cheating — might have ordered the killings to get revenge.

In February 2023, warrants were issued for six suspects in the Manila Arena kidnappings. However, the families of the victims later withdrew the cases, reportedly after reaching a settlement.

By September 2023, the six security personnel were arrested, including Alias Totoy. With him were Mark Carlo Zabala, Roberto Martilano Jr., John Consolason, Virgilio Bayog, and Glare Cordilla. They were suspects in the abductions and killings. But a lower court later granted them bail at Php3 million each.

In January 2025, the Supreme Court ordered their re-arrest, citing strong evidence against them. Then in June 2025, Alias Totoy resurfaced with new claims, revealing who he said was the true mastermind. He claimed the victims were buried in Taal Lake.

Following this revelation, the PNP, DOJ, Philippine Navy, and other agencies expressed interest in diving into Taal Lake to recover the remains — a daunting task.

Aside from this revelation, Totoy said his boss had wanted to assassinate DOJ Secretary Remulla. Totoy refused, which allegedly made his boss suspicious and want him eliminated. Totoy claimed there was a Php20 million bounty on his head. Unafraid, he came forward to speak the truth.

Totoy said that after identifying cheating cockfighters, he turned them over to killers — who were allegedly policemen. The mastermind supposedly ordered these executions because the cheaters kept repeating their crimes.

He confirmed that two minors, Mason Ramos and John Paul de Luna, who were with the missing cockfighters, were also killed. This has deeply hurt the victims’ families, who continue to cry for justice — especially now that Totoy is set to testify.

The families believe Totoy’s testimony is credible, as he had direct knowledge of the events. They are appealing to the President of the Philippines to reopen the case.

Some reports even suggest a senator was involved, believing such a large-scale operation couldn’t have happened without high-level protection.

Totoy said Ricardo Lasco was kidnapped because he was allegedly stealing cockfighting videos — an act known as “cloning.” As a master agent, Ricardo was given a franchise to stream cockfights online, earning a percentage from bets.

But Ricardo allegedly cloned the videos and kept all the earnings for himself, bypassing the company. This caused a decline in online cockfighting revenue, prompting the search for Ricardo.

Over Php2 million was paid to the group that abducted him in August 2021. Totoy admitted he was the one who paid them. He showed the media Ricardo’s final video, where he was being interrogated by his captors. Ricardo’s family confirmed it was indeed him.

Like the other victims, Ricardo’s body was allegedly tied to a sand-filled sack to prevent it from surfacing in Taal Lake. Totoy also said some bodies were dismembered so they’d sink faster.

They also said that while inside the Senate, Atong Ang allegedly offered them help, including lifetime medical assistance, especially for Ricardo’s mother. On June 26, 2025, Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla strongly asserted that there is a powerful force behind the fate of the missing cockfighters, who are believed to have been dumped in Taal Lake.

According to him, the mastermind behind the abduction and killing of the cockfighters is powerful and wealthy—capable of bribing government employees and even members of the judiciary. The Secretary also stated that they support Totoy’s revelations. Totoy is considered credible because he doesn’t only have a testimony but also possesses videos that serve as evidence against the mastermind.

Remulla added that they plan to include Totoy in the Witness Protection Program once he completes all necessary documents. On the same day, Totoy claimed that a female showbiz personality was also involved in the disappearance and murder of the cockfighters. He didn’t name the celebrity at first but described her as an “alpha” member and part of the mastermind’s inner circle.

Totoy said that the actress should also be charged because she was present during meetings with the mastermind. He claimed this showbiz personality could be key because she knew a lot. Although he didn’t name her directly, the name “Gretchen Barretto” came out in a news report. Totoy allegedly listed no fewer than 30 people in his affidavit connected to the cockfighters’ disappearance—including security guards, police officers, and civilians (estimated to be 10 civilians and 20 from law enforcement).

According to Totoy, those who escorted and handed over the cockfighters to police should be charged. The police, in turn, decided where to take and kill the cheating cockfighters. Totoy estimated that 108 cockfighters had been killed in total. His affidavit also allegedly contains the name of a police officer who owns the property where some victims were buried.

On June 30, 2025, four other suspects in the cockfighter disappearance case came forward—Robert Montellano Jr., John Reelason, Virgilio Bayog, and Mark Carlo Zabala. These four were initially arrested alongside Totoy but were later released. They claimed they were victims and had no involvement in the killings. They came forward to seek government protection as state witnesses, saying their lives were now in danger.

They admitted that Totoy was their boss and that they were security personnel at the cockfighting arena. They revealed that Totoy was a “big-time personality” who had bodyguards, two resorts, bulletproof vehicles, and numerous properties. They pleaded with Totoy not to involve them, to tell the truth, and to have mercy on them and their families.

On July 2, 2025, Totoy came forward with new revelations. He claimed the mastermind behind the abduction and killing of over 100 cockfighters was businessman Atong Ang and two others. He also implicated actress Gretchen Barretto, who is known to be close to Atong Ang. Totoy claimed with 100% certainty that Gretchen was involved because she was always with Atong and was a member of the “Alpha” group.

Totoy called on Gretchen to cooperate and show compassion to the victims’ families. He said it was impossible for her not to know what was happening because she often sat beside Atong even while sleeping. During group meetings, the members allegedly voted on whether to kill cheating cockfighters, and the majority—including Gretchen—voted yes. Atong allegedly justified it by saying their business would collapse if they didn’t kill the cheaters.

Totoy said he came forward now because he trusts PNP Chief General Tore, whom Atong Ang allegedly cannot bribe. He added that Atong had a long history of legal trouble, including illegal gambling (jueteng). Totoy, who was once a trusted aide, claimed Atong had even ordered the killings of his own friends—knowledge Totoy possessed due to his former closeness to Atong.

Totoy was among the initial suspects arrested in this case but was later released on bail. He said Atong helped them hide and even bought them safehouses. However, Atong later allegedly ordered their arrest as well. Totoy claimed he had no direct involvement in the killings—he was merely the farm manager and only followed orders.

Totoy denied extorting ₱300 million from Atong Ang, claiming instead that Atong’s lawyer gave him a recantation document to sign in exchange for ₱300 million, which eventually increased to ₱500 million. Totoy said he refused the offer because his conscience couldn’t accept it—especially since it would endanger his life and his family.

Totoy showed the media a copy of the recantation affidavit he was asked to sign. It stated that he would retract all his accusations against Atong Ang and others in exchange for money. He said he had worked for Atong Ang for 15 years, starting as a bodyguard and eventually becoming chief of security.

On July 3, 2025, Atong Ang formally filed criminal complaints against Totoy at the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office, with his legal team led by Atty. Lorna Kapunan. Also charged was Alan Bantiles alias “Brown,” a former employee of Atong. The complaints included attempted robbery with violence and intimidation, grave threats, grave coercion, incrimination of an innocent person, and slander.

Atong Ang said he came forward so the media could also hear his side, as the narrative had been one-sided in favor of Totoy. He said the public should not view him and others accused by Totoy as criminals. According to him, they were just decent people who enjoyed cockfighting—nothing more. He called himself a “gamer and a lover boy.”

Atong’s lawyer explained that the idea to offer Totoy ₱300 million came from Brown, allegedly so Totoy could start a new life abroad. Brown had also instructed the lawyer to prepare the recantation affidavit. Brown was reportedly seen in photos with politicians and business leaders, including a senator and an official from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Atong claimed Brown’s group had contacted him, asking for help in getting Totoy out of the country in exchange for money. He alleged that they tried to extort money from him and threatened to drag him into the case if he didn’t pay. When Atong refused, Totoy and Brown allegedly began speaking out against him.

Atong Ang denied any involvement in the kidnapping or killing of the cockfighters. He said cockfighting was just a hobby for him and his group. He added that he helped Totoy during the May 2025 elections when the latter ran for mayor in Surigao del Sur, giving him ₱12 million. But now, Totoy was allegedly blackmailing him.

Atong even learned that Totoy had planned to have him kidnapped and demand ransom from his family, but the real plan was to have him killed. Atong said he had no idea things would escalate this far and that he never supported Totoy’s alleged extortion activities.

Atong’s legal team believes that someone powerful is protecting Totoy. They said that of the six suspects in the cockfighters’ murder, Totoy is the guiltiest and should not qualify as a state witness. They also claimed Totoy was running another illegal business unknown to Atong.

People allegedly feared exposing Totoy because of his private army and dozens of security guards. Atty. Kapunan urged the government to investigate thoroughly for the sake of the slain cockfighters’ families. Atong also appealed to the media not to be one-sided and to hear their side as well.

In the end, Atong said he once treated Totoy like a son but was shocked by his betrayal and alleged plan to have him killed. Totoy responded by denying Atong’s accusations, saying he couldn’t possibly kill more than 100 cockfighters alone. He claimed Atong was the one who ordered their deaths, not him.

Totoy denied extorting Atong and said it was Atong’s lawyer who offered him the recantation affidavit and millions in exchange for silence. He refused it because he had his own money. Totoy also revealed that Atong called him a day before he was set to report to the DOJ, trying to convince him to settle the issue privately.

Totoy said he had been living quietly in the province, but the lies being spread about him forced him to speak out. He also claimed that Atong recently had someone killed in Lipa over a stolen fighting cock. Atong allegedly told him to accept the money and promised to “clean up” everything afterward.

Totoy said he was sent abroad by Atong using a fake passport, arranged by Brown. He claimed Atong burned his phone, which had evidence proving Atong’s role in the crimes. Fortunately, Totoy kept a voucher used to pay police involved in the killings, with names, dates, and amounts.

Atong also allegedly ordered Totoy to destroy a USB with evidence, but Totoy managed to keep a copy. He plans to name the police involved to protect himself, as he suspects drones have been flying near his house. He also accused Atong of hiding the other suspects to ensure they would blame Totoy alone.

According to Totoy, Atong supports the families of those suspects and is protected by officials like a colonel, a major, and a captain. There is now a ₱50 million bounty on Totoy’s head, allegedly ordered by Atong Ang. Totoy said he once saw Atong as a father, but now can’t accept that Atong wants to have his whole family killed.

As of the latest update, Totoy has not yet submitted his affidavit, saying a crucial “missing link” is needed to complete it. The PNP is now closely guarding Totoy and provided a safehouse for him. Totoy said he’s been moving from place to place because of threats.

DOJ Secretary Remulla said that sooner or later, they would file charges against Atong Ang and Gretchen Barretto, who are allegedly no longer in the Philippines. He admitted the case was difficult due to the amount of money and influence involved. DOJ also revealed another individual from the Alpha group may soon be named.

Apart from Totoy’s statements, the agency holds more evidence, including CCTV footage. Secretary Remulla told the media they would never abandon the case of the missing cockfighters until the truth comes out, no matter how long it takes.

Gretchen Barretto has made no public statement regarding the controversy. Meanwhile, a Facebook post went viral showing Totoy’s clothing, with prices: a T-shirt worth ₱4,950, Rick Owens pants worth ₱53,000, and a Cartier watch worth nearly half a million pesos.

On July 4, 2025, Totoy clarified in another interview that Atong never gave him ₱12 million for his campaign. According to him, the amount was a combination of loans, his final salary from Pitmaster, and some funds for work-related expenses. When asked why he borrowed money if he planned to leave Atong, Totoy said he was just “playing along” to avoid suspicion and to buy time for his exit plan.