EXPLOSIVE REVELATION: New Witness Breaks Silence in Missing Sabungeros Case—Powerful Names Mentioned, High-Ranking Cops Allegedly Involved in Sinister Plot!
More than two years after the chilling disappearance of over 30 sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts), a dramatic twist has rocked the nation: a new key witness has emerged, bringing with him disturbing allegations that threaten to expose a web of corruption and criminal collusion involving powerful individuals and members of law enforcement.
The witness, whose identity remains protected for security reasons, claims to have firsthand knowledge of what happened to the missing men—many of whom vanished in eerily similar patterns after attending cockfights in various arenas around Luzon, particularly in Manila, Laguna, and Batangas.
A Case That Shocked the Nation
The missing sabungeros case began in 2021 and quickly became one of the Philippines’ most baffling and haunting unsolved mysteries. Most of the victims were last seen attending or leaving cockfighting events (locally known as “e-sabong”), which were booming at the time due to online betting and digital platforms.
Despite the growing number of disappearances, investigations stalled. Families pleaded for answers. Authorities offered rewards. CCTV footage, abandoned vehicles, and cryptic phone calls all formed a puzzle with no clear solution.
Until now.
The Whistleblower’s Testimony
According to exclusive documents obtained by this publication, the new witness—an ex-security contractor who claims to have worked for a high-profile gambling operator—has provided sworn affidavits to both the Department of Justice and NBI (National Bureau of Investigation).
He alleges that the missing sabungeros were abducted under direct orders of individuals involved in a high-stakes gambling syndicate that spans Luzon and even reaches into parts of Visayas.
More disturbingly, he named at least three high-ranking police officers and two local government officials as being aware of or complicit in the abductions.
“They weren’t random disappearances,” the witness stated in his testimony. “They were targeted. These men either owed large debts, won more than they were supposed to, or had knowledge of how the operations were being manipulated.”
He also claimed that many of the victims were tortured for information, some were silenced permanently, and that others were transported and dumped into remote areas including lakes, mountainsides, or even cement-filled drums.
Taal Lake and the “Ghost Boat”
One of the more disturbing revelations involved Taal Lake in Batangas, which had previously been searched during an earlier phase of the investigation. The witness confirmed rumors that a number of sabungeros were executed aboard a private boat, and their bodies thrown into the lake under the cover of night.
“Everything was planned. There were handlers. There were lookouts. They used burner phones, and they paid off local authorities to turn a blind eye,” the witness added.
He even pointed to specific dates and coordinates which led authorities to re-open the Taal Lake search just last week.
As of this writing, divers from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Navy have been deployed to verify the claims. Sources say skeletal remains and clothing fragments have already been recovered in the vicinity.
A Nation Demands Answers
Families of the victims, many of whom have long criticized the slow pace of the investigation, are now hopeful—but also furious.
“Why did it take so long for someone to speak up? We were ignored. Our sons disappeared, and we were treated like we were overreacting,” said Maria Hernandez, whose 28-year-old son went missing after attending a sabong event in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
Online, the hashtag #JusticeForSabungeros has regained momentum, with Filipinos demanding full transparency, the release of the names involved, and immediate suspension of all officers and politicians mentioned in the affidavit.
A protest outside Camp Crame is scheduled for this weekend, organized by family members and human rights groups who have called the case “one of the darkest stains in modern Philippine law enforcement.”
Government Response: “No Sacred Cows”
In response to the revelations, Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla released a statement saying the DOJ will pursue the case “with full force of the law” and that “no sacred cows” will be protected.
“The allegations are serious and alarming. If proven true, this confirms what many feared—that this wasn’t just about gambling, but about systemic rot. We will investigate everyone—regardless of position.”
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has also formed a special internal task force to probe the involvement of police officers. So far, six officers have been placed under restricted duty, pending the investigation.
Senate Launches Independent Probe
Senator Raffy Tulfo, known for his hardline stance against corruption, has called for an emergency Senate inquiry, stating:
“This is not just a scandal. This is mass murder, possibly state-enabled. We need to find out how deep this goes—and who is still covering it up.”
He has invited the witness to testify in a closed-door Senate hearing with full protection under the Witness Protection Program.
The Tip of the Iceberg?
While the revelations have reignited public outrage and media scrutiny, many fear this may be just the beginning of an even larger scandal.
Investigative journalist Ellen Sandoval believes that the sabungero disappearances may be tied to wider organized crime, possibly involving money laundering, illegal firearms, and even connections to foreign syndicates.
“There’s a pattern to this,” she said. “Follow the money. Follow the debt records. We might be looking at an entire underground empire hidden beneath the illusion of legal gambling.”
Where Are the Sabungeros?
As the nation waits for the results of the reopened lake searches and the Senate hearings, the question that haunts every family remains:
Where are our loved ones?
Some hold onto hope that at least one or two of the missing men may still be alive, held somewhere in secret. Others have resigned themselves to the tragic likelihood that they will never return home—but now want truth and justice.
The case of the missing sabungeros is no longer just a news story. It has become a symbol of how power, silence, and impunity can cost lives in a nation still grappling with institutional failures.
And now, thanks to one brave whistleblower, the cracks are starting to show.
