The key whistleblower in the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros), along with the families of the victims, formally filed a complaint against 12 police officers allegedly involved in the abduction and killing of the sabungeros before the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

Julie “Totoy/Dondon” Patidongan made his first public appearance on Monday, July 14, when he submitted to Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Rafael Vicente Calinisan his complaint-affidavit against the cops that he is linking to the disappearance of over 100 sabungeros, far more than the 34 individuals missing based on the tally of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to Patidongan, some of the police officers have already retired. He said they were receiving tons of money to grow the cockfighting and e-sabong operations of gaming tycoon Charlie "Atong" Ang.

“Labindalawa ito at ‘yung iba retired na pero may kasunod pa ito (There are twelve of them, and some are already retired, but more will follow),” he said, adding that up to 30 active and police officers may be linked to the case.

Patidongan said the cops were the ones who abducted the missing cockfighting enthusiasts who were accused of cheating or fixing sabong matches. He said the cops took the sabungeros to a farm leased by one of the accused officers near Taal Lake, where they were eventually killed and their remains were dumped. 

Patidongan said he also plans to file charges against retired police general Jonnel Estomo, former regional director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), as he claimed he is also involved in the case.

Patidongan claimed that Estomo was part of an “Alpha Group” being handled by Ang. He said Estomo was the one who recommended to Ang to have him killed when he left the businessman’s circle.

The police officers named by Patidongan have yet to air their side of the story but PNP chief General Nicolas Torre III previously mentioned that up to 15 cops were placed under restrictive custody due to their alleged involvement to the case.

Ang had also denied his involvement to the disappearance of the sabungeros.

The filing of the complaint by Patidongan will set in motion the administrative investigation by Napolcom to determine the liability of the police officers accused of involvement in the high-profile case.

“Ang pinakaimportante magsisimula na ang proseso. Makakabuti iyon dahil mayroon na tayong complaint affidavit na maaaring pagsimulan ng kaso at maaaring pasagutin na natin all those allegedly involved (What’s most important is that the process is about to begin. That’s a good development because we now have a complaint affidavit that can serve as the basis for a case, and we may now hold all those allegedly involved accountable),” Calinisan said.

After the filing of the complaint by Patidongan, the Napolcom will evaluate if it is sufficient in form. The accused cops will then be given a chance by the Napolcom to submit their counter-affidavit and respond to the accusations hurled against them.

A series of summary hearings will be called where both Patidongan and the accused cops would have to appear before the Napolcom before a final recommendation is issued by the commission.

Calinisan said the Napolcom plans to finish the administrative investigation within 60 days.

“After ng evaluation, maaaring ito’y humantong sa formal charge na isasampa sa commission proper (After the evaluation, this may lead to a formal charge before the commission proper),” he said.

Among the charges being considered by the Napolcom are grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.