Are the Missing Sabungeros Victims of a Larger Conspiracy?

The sudden disappearance of over 30 cockfighting enthusiasts—known locally as sabungeros—has gripped the Philippines for more than a year. While the initial assumption pointed to isolated acts of violence tied to gambling debts or underworld rivalries, recent developments suggest something far more disturbing: a coordinated, multi-level conspiracy involving law enforcement, gambling operators, and possibly powerful political and celebrity figures.

Could the missing sabungeros be victims of a larger, state-protected criminal enterprise?

The Surface Narrative: E-Sabong and Vanishing Men

Between 2021 and early 2022, dozens of sabungeros vanished in separate incidents across Luzon. Most were last seen at cockfighting arenas or traveling to matches. Some were caught on CCTV being abducted by armed men. No ransom calls were made. No bodies were found.

The disappearances were largely dismissed as unrelated crimes—until public pressure forced a deeper look.

The Breaking Point: Totoy’s Testimony

In 2025, a man known only as “Totoy” confessed to his involvement in a sinister operation that allegedly kidnapped and executed sabungeros. His testimony exposed chilling details:

• Victims were strangled, weighed down, and dumped into Taal Lake.
• The murders were planned, systematic, and carried out by teams involving civilians, private security, and active-duty police officers.
• More than 100 people may have been killed—far beyond the 34 officially listed.

Totoy’s account shifted the narrative dramatically. It was no longer just about gambling gone wrong—it was about organized killings, coordinated cover-ups, and protection from inside the system.

The Alleged Conspiracy: Key Threads

1. Involvement of Law Enforcement
   Totoy named over 20 police officers who he claims directly participated in the abductions and killings. This suggests either a rogue unit operating independently—or a sanctioned operation with protection from higher-ups.

2. Private Operators and Gambling Lords
   Many of the missing sabungeros were allegedly involved in e-sabong operations that generated millions in daily revenue. Some were said to have witnessed or challenged rigged fights, or failed to deliver on large bets—putting them in conflict with powerful gambling figures.

3. A Shadow Group Known as “Alpha”
   Totoy referenced a group called “Alpha,” supposedly composed of influential backers, financiers, and enforcers. Among those named in his forthcoming affidavit is a female celebrity, whose public image sharply contrasts with the alleged role behind the scenes.

4. Judicial Interference and Corruption
   Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has warned that the masterminds may attempt to manipulate the courts using their wealth and connections. The DOJ has asked the Supreme Court for institutional support to shield the case from sabotage.

The Lake as a Crime Scene

Taal Lake has become a focal point of the investigation. It is where the bodies were allegedly dumped—an underwater graveyard, according to Totoy.

But the lake is vast, deep, and unstable. Recovery efforts by the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy have so far been unsuccessful. The DOJ is now seeking assistance from Japan to deploy remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) and sonar equipment in the hopes of retrieving physical evidence.

Silence, Fear, and Unanswered Questions

The alleged scale of this conspiracy is staggering—and terrifying. If Totoy’s claims hold up, then:

• Who gave the orders?
• Who financed the operation?
• How deep does the protection go?

Despite the gravity of these claims, only a few names have surfaced publicly. There have been no major arrests. And many fear that witnesses may backtrack or vanish before they can testify.

The families of the victims remain in limbo—some still hoping their loved ones are alive, others demanding bodies to bury. Many have lost faith in the system, believing that justice may never come when those responsible operate above the law.

Conclusion: Conspiracy or Cover-Up?

The disappearance of the sabungeros may not just be a story of gambling and violence—it may be a window into systemic corruption, state-linked impunity, and a hidden underworld protected by powerful figures. Whether or not the government can prove Totoy’s claims remains to be seen. But the longer the silence continues, the more it feels like truth itself is being buried—perhaps at the bottom of a volcanic lake.

Until hard evidence surfaces, the question lingers:

Were the missing sabungeros silenced by a conspiracy too dangerous to expose?