MANILA, Philippines — Julie “Totoy” Patidongan, a whistleblower in the case of 34 missing cockfighting enthusiasts, on Friday publicly challenged businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairman Felix Reyes to take lie detector tests in connection with the ongoing investigation into the high-profile disappearances.
Patidongan issued the challenge following recent developments in the case, including the discovery of suspected human remains in Taal Lake — a location he previously identified as a potential dumping ground for the victims.
On Thursday, investigators recovered a sack containing what appeared to be burned human bones. The following day, the Philippine Coast Guard deployed 30 tactical divers who located additional sacks underwater. The contents of those sacks are pending confirmation through forensic analysis.
Patidongan alleged that the new evidence supports his claims that the victims, who went missing between April 2021 and January 2022, were abducted, killed, and disposed of in Taal Lake. He further accused Ang of orchestrating the killings due to alleged game-fixing in online cockfighting (e-sabong) operations.
Ang, who heads Pitmasters Live and Lucky 8 Starquest — two major e-sabong platforms — has previously denied any involvement in the case.
In addition to Ang, Patidongan also accused PCSO Chairman Felix Reyes of manipulating court cases related to the incident. Reyes dismissed the allegations as “wild and baseless.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the recovered remains are linked to the missing individuals. Forensic teams are conducting examinations to determine identities and establish any connection to the ongoing case.
The disappearance of the 34 sabungeros has sparked widespread concern and scrutiny over e-sabong operations in the Philippines, prompting multiple investigations and Senate hearings since 2022.
