Gretchen Barretto Allegedly Present During Atong Ang’s Meeting About Eliminating Cheating Cockfighters

It was alleged that Gretchen Barretto was sitting beside Atong Ang and agreed with the proposal to eliminate—or make disappear—the cockfighters who were cheating. This was revealed by whistleblower Donondon Patidongan, who detailed what he saw and heard during a meeting of what he referred to as the “Alpha Group”—a circle of people very close to Atong Ang. According to Patidongan, both he and Barretto, as well as others implicated in the disappearance of the sabungeros (cockfighters), were part of this group.

According to his account, the so-called “Alpha Group” (or Group A) held a meeting where Atong Ang allegedly asked the attendees if the cheating cockfighters should be taken and silenced. Patidongan claimed that Barretto and others were present during this meeting and some reportedly raised their hands to show agreement—including Gretchen Barretto. According to him, she signaled her support for Atong Ang’s plan.

Patidongan explained that the Alpha Group was made up of key investors in the online cockfighting operations, particularly those involved with Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., the operator of the Manila Arena. He said some investors noticed that cheaters were copying the platform’s website, redirecting bettors to other betting sites. This allegedly prompted the decision to discuss how to “remove” or “eliminate” the sabungeros involved in the fraud.

A particularly disturbing part of the story was Patidongan’s recounting of a baptism ceremony. He said that Atong Ang and Gretchen Barretto served as godparents to his child, whose name was inspired by theirs—Don Chen Lee (from “Don” of Donondon, “Chen” of Gretchen, and “Lee” from Charlie Atong Ang). He expressed sorrow that the very people he considered family, godparents to his child, would later be involved in a plan to eliminate him and his entire family.

He also mentioned another godfather, Engr. Celso Salazar, who he also implicated in the case of the missing sabungeros. Patidongan insisted all three—Atong Ang, Barretto, and Salazar—were present and involved in Alpha Group discussions that may have led to the disappearance of dozens of people.

During one meeting, Atong Ang reportedly explained that if the cheaters were not dealt with, the business would fail. In these meetings, raising a hand allegedly signified agreement with the proposed actions. Patidongan stated that Gretchen Barretto was seen frequently beside Atong Ang in such gatherings, implying closeness and involvement. He emphasized that this was not just hearsay, and urged that these claims be investigated seriously and not dismissed without proof.

In one portion of his account, Patidongan describes how some cockfighters would intentionally sabotage matches—blunting blades or weakening roosters to lose on purpose—and then bet on the opposing side. This kind of cheating, known in cockfighting circles as “Mang Chochope,” was allegedly a major concern for the Alpha Group.

He also made a public plea to Gretchen Barretto, asking her to have compassion and conscience, and to help with the ongoing investigation for the sake of the families of the missing sabungeros. Six of the disappeared were last seen on CCTV at the Manila Arena on January 13, 2022.

Finally, Patidongan highlighted how massive the industry had become, citing Justice Secretary Remulla’s estimate that the e-sabong (online cockfighting) industry was generating ₱1 billion per day. Many Filipinos, including OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), were heavily involved as bettors, making the issue not just criminal but also deeply social and economic.