BATANGAS, PHILIPPINES – The quiet waves of Taal Lake have finally given up their gruesome secrets.
After nearly three years of painful silence, skeletal remains believed to belong to several of the missing “sabungeros”—men who vanished during the height of the e-sabong craze—were recovered by divers from a suspected mass dumping site deep within the volcanic lake.
But what began as a search for the dead has now erupted into a scandal involving some of the country’s most powerful figures.
Among those allegedly linked to the disappearance and suspected execution of the sabungeros: businessman Atong Ang and former actress turned socialite Gretchen Barretto.
THE LAKE THAT REMEMBERS
Divers from the Philippine National Police, aided by Japanese sonar equipment, recovered partial skulls, bone fragments, clothing remnants, and wire bindings from a dark trench in the lake—a location previously flagged by whistleblowers and fishermen.
“Preliminary forensic analysis suggests these may be linked to the original group of missing sabungeros reported in 2022,” said DOJ investigators.
Locals had long whispered about strange boat activity at night, and now, those whispers have turned into an explosive reality.
ATONG ANG, GRETCHEN BARRETTO—FROM GLAMOUR TO SUSPICION
The name Atong Ang, long associated with gambling and underground operations, has resurfaced in documents recently leaked to the media. One affidavit, reportedly from an anonymous former police asset, claims Ang ordered the disposal of bodies to “clean up” the e-sabong mess.
Shockingly, Gretchen Barretto’s name was also mentioned in a now-viral tip sheet, alleging she acted as a “go-between” for high-profile figures and used her connections to divert investigation efforts.
“She played hostess to the powerful, but behind the scenes she played handler,” a source alleged.
Gretchen’s camp has denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations “baseless, malicious, and timed to destroy reputations.”
But the public isn’t convinced.
PBBM UNDER PRESSURE: WILL HE ACT?
With public outcry growing louder, eyes have turned to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM), who once declared that e-sabong would be banned for good.
Now, netizens are demanding more than words.
“Where is the justice for the dead?”
“Is PBBM willing to take down the untouchables?”
“If not now, when?”
These are the questions flooding social media under hashtags like #JusticeForSabungeros, #ExposeTheElite, and #TaalLakeTruth.
THE DEEPER CONSPIRACY
One emerging theory from whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan is that the entire e-sabong operation—worth billions—was not just a gambling racket, but a laundering pipeline for illegal money. Those who asked too many questions, like the missing sabungeros, were allegedly “erased” to protect higher interests.
Patidongan claims a “triangle of power” existed—syndicate bosses, corrupt cops, and celebrity handlers—working together under the illusion of public entertainment.
And Taal Lake? It was their graveyard.
FINAL WORD: THE WATERS ARE STIRRED
With bones now rising from the deep, and elite names being dragged into the mud, one thing is certain: this case is far from over.
Gretchen Barretto has yet to issue a full public statement. Atong Ang remains out of public view. And PBBM? Silent—for now.
But the people are watching. And the lake is speaking.
The question is: Will justice finally rise with the bones—or be drowned again by power?
🕊️🩸⚖️
