Whistleblower Links Police to Missing ‘Sabungeros’ Case, Cites ‘War ⁢on Drugs’

MANILA, Philippines – A key whistleblower in the ⁢2022 kidnapping adn serious illegal detention of six sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts) from Rizal has pointed ⁢fingers at former ⁣police officials, suggesting a connection to the government’s controversial “war on drugs.” Julie Patidongan, who‍ was previously accused in the case, has now identified former police major ⁢Orapa and retired police major general Jonnel⁤ Estomo as being involved.

Patidongan’s allegations, detailed in a complaint filed on Monday, paint a disturbing picture of how law enforcement might have ‍been entangled in the disappearance ⁤of the sabungeros.He claims that Malinao, another individual implicated in the case, introduced him to orapa. Patidongan further alleges that Malinao maintains close ties with Celso Salazar, an engineer whom Patidongan ⁢has also named as a potential mastermind.Salazar’s ⁢name has surfaced in connection with Ang’s Lucky 8 Star ‍Quest,the operator of cockfighting arenas where the sabungeros were last seen.Securities and Exchange Commission documents confirm⁤ Salazar’s ⁢directorship in the company, as reported by a 2022 Senate committee on public order.

When questioned about the⁤ involvement of police officers in the sabungeros case, Patidongan offered ⁢a chilling description: “Because they were the war on the war on drugs back then,” he ‍stated, ⁤implying ⁣that these officers were accustomed to carrying ⁤out extrajudicial killings during the anti-drug campaign.Adding another layer to⁢ the accusations, ⁢Patidongan also implicated retired police⁢ major general Jonnel Estomo, the former Southern Luzon commander of the ⁢Philippine National Police. ⁢Patidongan described Estomo as an “alpha member” within the cockfighting industry, a term he used‍ to signify someone closely associated with⁢ Atong Ang, a prominent figure in the industry.⁢ the whistleblower also made a grave claim that Estomo desired his death. Rappler has reached‍ out to Estomo for⁣ comment and will update⁣ this report upon receiving a response.

This is not the first time law enforcement personnel have been linked to the⁤ sabungeros case. Previously, three police officers were⁢ charged with kidnapping in connection with the ⁢2021 disappearance ⁤of e-sabong master agent ricardo Lasco jr.

The controversy ⁣surrounding ⁣the missing sabungeros took a grim⁤ turn when⁣ Patidongan claimed that the victims were already dead and their bodies disposed of in Taal Lake. Authorities are currently conducting extensive searches ‍of the lake⁤ in an effort to locate any potential remains.

The allegations made by Patidongan have intensified scrutiny on the individuals involved, including Atong Ang, who had previously filed multiple criminal complaints, including ⁢slander, against his former employee after Patidongan accused him ⁤of being the mastermind behind the ‍disappearances.