Behind the vibrant and traditional world of cockfighting lies a series of violence and mysterious disappearances rooted in deep issues of cheating.
Cockfighting is no longer just a simple game of bravery and luck. It has become a battleground for deceitful tactics where certain cockfighters deliberately cheat to win big.

Because of this, tension and anger have grown among those who control the industry, leading to retaliation and violent actions against suspected cheaters. In every fight, it’s not just money at stake—lives can be lost when one gets involved in the dark game of deception.

In the Philippines, cockfighting isn’t just a game.
It’s a culture, a tradition, and a livelihood interwoven with the fabric of society. In every village corner, one can hear the shouts and cheers of people as roosters—like warriors—clash on the small stage of the cockpit.

Amid Totoy’s revelations, it became even clearer how complex and organized the cheating in the world of cockfighting truly is.
It’s not just random trickery. There’s a system. There are accomplices. And there are people willing to do anything just to win big or protect their business.

One of the most common schemes is weakening the rooster before the fight.
Some handlers pretend to take care of the rooster but secretly give it excessive water so it becomes heavy and tires quickly. Sometimes, they even use chemicals that aren’t immediately detectable—so the rooster appears normal at first, only for its performance to suddenly drop during the match.

And it doesn’t stop there. Some handlers intentionally loosen or tighten the blade attached to the rooster’s leg depending on whether they want it to win or lose.
If they want the rooster to lose, they dull the blade so it can’t injure the opponent. If they want a guaranteed win, they sharpen the blade or secure it better to give their rooster an advantage.

There’s also a tactic known as “betting on the opponent.”
A group of cockfighters pretends to be allies, but they’ve already agreed on who will lose. They all place bets on the supposed “enemy” to ensure they win money. With such huge amounts involved, millions can go to just one group while others suffer massive losses.

Another severe scheme is derby fixing.
In major derbies, even the organizers can be in on it. They determine which rooster should win, which should lose, and how many matches will be rigged—all to maintain control over the money flow and guarantee profits.

As investigations deepen, more stories of cheating come to light.
Some cockfighters suddenly become rich. Some handlers mysteriously disappear. And some organizers seem untouchable. In every match, it’s no longer just about luck or courage—you have to be cautious, because behind every cockpit are eyes watching and hands willing to cheat for money and power.

As the chaos in the cockfighting world grows, conversations begin to focus on the real power players behind the industry.
This is where the name Pitmaster Group emerges—a group of powerful businessmen, investors, and operators who practically run the e-sabong (online cockfighting) industry in the country.

Within this group are the so-called “alpha members.”
They are the heavyweights—with big capital, wide networks, and direct access to company decisions. One of them is Atong Ang, known as the most influential operator. According to insiders, he’s the kind of person no one dares defy. Every move—from small derbies to multimillion-peso online events—goes through him.

But Atong isn’t the only one in the spotlight.
Gretchen Barretto has also been named. She’s not just a showbiz icon but also a major investor with a large stake in the Pitmaster Group. Many were shocked to learn of her involvement. But according to reports, she’s long been engaged in high-stakes businesses, with e-sabong being one of her loudest investments.

In their meetings and exclusive gatherings, it’s not just money that’s discussed.
Strategies on how to grow the business, avoid scandals, and deal with dissenters are also plotted. One insider even said, “If you’re an alpha member, you know everything that goes on. You can’t pretend to be blind.”

As the investigation progresses, it becomes clearer that this doesn’t involve just ordinary cockfighters.
The decisions, commands, and actions of the Pitmaster Group and its alpha members dictate the entire direction of the industry. In their meetings, not only are millions of pesos at stake—but also the lives of those entangled in this dark game.

And as more revelations about the Pitmaster Group and its alpha members come out, an even darker part of the story begins to surface:
the connection between the business and those meant to uphold the law.

According to insiders and whistleblowers, it’s not just cockfighters and operators who are involved—but also members of the police and government officials.
There have long been rumors of protection money circulating in e-sabong operations—not just simple bribes, but regular monthly payments to ensure that police would not interfere, even in the face of complaints or investigations.

Testimonies revealed that some police officials received millions every month in exchange for silence and special treatment when problems arose.
One Lieutenant Colonel was reportedly receiving PHP 2 million per month, while other officers each had their own cut of the fund.

If a cockfighter got in trouble or someone complained about cheating, the cases were often quickly dismissed. Either witnesses were paid off, or evidence mysteriously disappeared.

But it’s not just the police involved.
There are also reports of local officials benefiting from the earnings of cockfighting operations. So even when people disappear or anomalies arise, no one wants to investigate.
Instead of protecting ordinary citizens, it seems they’re more interested in protecting the powerful players behind the industry

For ordinary cockfighters and the families of the missing, fear and distrust in the system have only deepened.

How can one seek justice when the very people they’re supposed to turn to are part of the game? As the investigation continues and more whistleblowers come forward, it becomes clearer that cockfighting is not just a business—it is a vast network of money, power, and corruption, fiercely protected by those in positions of authority.

Public trust is collapsing, but the families of the missing sabungeros refuse to give up. Every day, people walk into police stations carrying photos of their loved ones, hoping someone will offer a clue. At every press conference, there are mothers and wives crying, asking the same painful questions:
Where are they? Why is there still no justice?

Despite all the roadblocks, the Department of Justice and a few decent officials have launched a deeper investigation. This is no longer just about interviews and paperwork. Underwater drones are now being used to search for evidence in places suspected to be dumping grounds, like Taal Lake. Technical divers are risking their lives to find even the smallest trace.

Over time, new witnesses have gained the courage to speak out—former sabungan staff, security personnel, even insiders from within the operations. Each of them carries a piece of the puzzle: details of movements, names of collaborators, secrets of the syndicate. Slowly, a picture is emerging—one of an organized crime group capable of controlling both the game and the investigation itself.

But it hasn’t been easy. Some witnesses have withdrawn. Some are too afraid to testify. Some police officers are scrambling to clean their names, while others simply remain silent. At every step, there seems to be an invisible hand trying to stop the truth from surfacing.

Still, the families and a few brave officials persist. With each passing day, the clamor for justice grows louder. With each new piece of evidence, it becomes more and more obvious—this isn’t just a case of missing persons. It’s a massive operation of fraud, protected by people in power.

Their only hope lies in the unwavering determination of those pursuing the truth.

As the media coverage heats up and the full picture of the syndicate comes into view, those at the center of the controversy begin making public statements. Each one is trying to clear their name.

Atong Ang was the first to speak. Calm and composed, he told the press:
“I had nothing to do with the disappearance of the cockfighters. All of these accusations are fabrications from people trying to blackmail me.”
He claimed that several individuals were using the case to extort millions from him and that he had filed legal complaints against them.

Next came Gretchen Barretto, through her lawyer. She insisted:
“I am just an investor, not an operator. I have no involvement in any decisions regarding the cockfighting operations.”
She said she herself had been threatened and blackmailed by those dragging her name into the controversy.

As these statements poured in, so did rumors. Some claimed there was an even more powerful group behind all of it—people whose names haven’t even surfaced yet, with deeper connections and greater skill in covering up evidence.

On social media, people are divided. Some say Atong and Gretchen are just scapegoats of a bigger syndicate. Others argue it’s impossible for them not to have known what was happening under their own noses.

Meanwhile, more stories of blackmail and extortion emerge. Middlemen are said to be offering protection to those involved, in exchange for large sums of money. Some people are being forced to pay just to keep their names off suspect lists or out of media reports.

This fight for justice is no longer just about evidence. It’s about battling lies, threats, and the defense tactics of the powerful.
Day by day, the case of the missing sabungeros becomes not just a story of cheating—it’s a war of influence, money, and control behind the scenes of cockfighting.

And as the chaos intensifies, the industry itself is beginning to feel the full weight of the scandal.

Where once cockpits were full of cheers and laughter, now there is tension. People tread carefully. High-rolling bettors have gone quiet. Some have walked away completely, afraid to be implicated.

With the surge of reports on fraud and disappearances, government agencies have rolled out new policies. Some cockpits have been shut down. Online platforms have tightened regulations and surveillance. Every move is monitored—from the size of the bets to the identities of handlers and operators.

But in truth, many loopholes still exist.

Not only cockfighters are affected—the families of the missing continue to suffer. Some have lost hope. Others have only grown more determined. Every passing day deepens the wound—not just because loved ones are gone, but because there is still no certainty that anyone will be held accountable.

Debate rages online:
Should cockfighting, especially online sabong, be banned entirely?
Some say the industry still has hope—if it can be cleaned up and corrupt figures removed.

But for most, this has become a warning. That behind every game, there may be dangers we never imagined. And sometimes, the cost is someone’s life.

As the rules tighten and the investigation deepens, the question remains:
How far will the powerful go to protect their interests?
And can cockfighting ever return to what it once was—a game of courage and chance, not fear and corruption?

Amid all the fear, noise, and scandal, the time has come to face the truth.

The voices of the grieving, the tears of the widows and mothers, the cries for justice—these cannot be ignored.

Every day, people walk into courtrooms. Others kneel in front of photos of the missing, whispering prayers. Children continue to ask:
“When is Papa coming home?”

More are coming forward with new evidence. Former accomplices express regret. Some officials have had a change of heart and decided to speak.

Even ordinary people, despite the risks, have chosen to help.

The road is still full of danger. Many try to suppress the truth. But with every passing day, the belief grows stronger:
They are not alone in this fight.

Change is slowly happening. Some operators are implementing stricter rules. Handlers are becoming more cautious. Bettors are more critical.

Cockfighting is no longer just a game. It is a reminder that when systems are left unchecked, lives are the price we pay.

In the end, this is not just a story about cheating or money.
It’s a story of courage, family, and hope—that one day, justice will be served.

And in the prayers of the bereaved, in the efforts of investigators, and in the outcry of a nation, hope lives on.

Maybe not today. But one day, the truth will come out. And justice will win.

And to those left behind, there is only one prayer:
May this never happen again.

May the wounds of the past serve as a lesson for all—that behind every game, every fight, and every decision, it’s human dignity and life that are truly at stake.