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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Don't forget about the 'big fish' in missing 'sabungeros' case, De Lima tells authorities

Don't forget about the 'big fish' in missing 'sabungeros' case, De Lima tells authorities

Published Aug 27, 2025 03:14 pm

At A Glance

  • Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima received assurance from law enforcers on Wednesday, Aug. 27 that they will look into the alleged involvement of "big fish" in the missing "sabungeros" (cockfighting enthusiasts) case, and not just low-level suspects.
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (PPAB)
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (PPAB)


Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima received assurance from law enforcers on Wednesday, Aug. 27 that they will look into the alleged involvement of "big fish" in the missing "sabungeros" (cockfighting enthusiasts) case, and not just low-level suspects.
This transpired during the House Committee on Human Right's first hearing on the matter in the current 20th Congress.
During the panel inquiry, De Lima, a former Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary, commented that the revelations of missing sabungeros whistleblower Julie Patidongan alias "Totoy" were "quite serious and quite alarming".
"And then I would assume that both the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and the PNP, (Philippine National Police) as investigative agencies, are actually serious in validating, verifying, and confirming those serious allegations and accusations of Mr. Patidongan," she said.
"My point is, of course I don't think you are at liberty to disclose exactly the findings, preliminary or otherwise about the investigation. I just wish to express here that I hope the investigation being made by both NBI and PNP actually cover big fish or influential or big personalities allegedly involved, as resealed by whistleblower Patidongan," said De Lima.
"So this body can be assured by PNP and NBI that you're just not looking at the middle-level or the low-level alleged perpetrators, but also any other personality who has been linked to this case?" she asked the resource persons.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director, Police Brigadier General Christopher Abrahano gave a positive response to De Lima's query.
"Mr. Chair, on behalf of the [PNP], I give the full commitment of the agency in pursuing this investigation until the end," Abrahano said.
De Lima, also a former senator, appeared satisfied with what she heard.
In a separate manifestation, the lady solon prodded the DOJ to "speed up its evaluation process with respect to the WPP (witness protection program) coverage of the whistleblower".
Patidongan has claimed that the bodies of some 100 cockfighting enthusiasts have been dumped in Taal Lake.
Before learning about this, authorities were looking into the case of 34 sabungeros who have been missing since 2021.
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