The missing cockfighters were allegedly garroted and then dumped into Taal Lake, according to Alias Totoy. Meanwhile, actress Gretchen Barretto has denied any involvement in the case. Elaine Feno is on the frontlines of this news story.

Carrying photos of the missing cockfighters, the victims’ families went to the Department of Justice to meet with DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla to request an update on the case.

“We’re not stopping. We’re not leaving any stone unturned to solve these cases,” Remulla said.

The families said they felt a renewed sense of hope after the revelations of Julie Donondon Padidongan, also known as Alias Totoy. They said they believe what Alias Totoy said.

In an interview earlier with Ted Filo of DJ Cha, Alias Totoy recounted how the cockfighters were abducted after being caught cheating. He said a certain “Ales Vito,” a police team leader, was among those involved in the abduction. Another police officer allegedly showed him a video of how the missing cockfighters were executed:

“They were handcuffed, tied at the neck, slowly garroted until their tongues came out… then they were dead. Then they were put on boats and dumped in the middle of Taal Lake.”

Totoy claimed that businessman Atong Ang ordered the killing of the cheating cockfighters—an accusation Ang vehemently denied, claiming Totoy was lying.

However, the description of the killings closely matches the image seen by Carmelita Lasco, whose son disappeared due to cockfighting. She said she saw a photo of her son kneeling, handcuffed, blindfolded, with a rope around his neck. He was allegedly shot afterward.

Lasco also shared that Atong Ang had previously offered help to the families of the missing cockfighters:

“We were immediately told, ‘Okay, help them.’ Just like that—help us. He even said he’d provide my mother with lifetime medication and full medical support.”

However, the family didn’t accept the offer, knowing something wasn’t right.

Gretchen Barretto’s camp has also denied the actress’s involvement in the cockfighting disappearances. According to her lawyer, Atty. Alma Malonga, Alias Totoy never witnessed Barretto doing anything that would implicate her. She was only named due to her close relationship with Atong Ang. Her camp insists the accusations are fabricated.

They also clarified that Barretto was never an operator of any cockfighting arena and had no involvement in its operations—she was merely an investor. However, they confirmed that someone attempted to extort money from Barretto to keep her name off the suspect list. Barretto refused to pay, asserting that she had done nothing wrong.

Yesterday, Atong Ang similarly claimed that Alias Totoy had tried to extort him to avoid being implicated in the case.

According to the DOJ, five police officers allegedly involved in the killings of the missing cockfighters have already been placed on restricted duty. Witnesses have reportedly come forward to indicate where the victims’ bodies were dumped.

Alias Totoy is currently under the protection of the Philippine National Police.