The Vanishing Sabungeros: What We Know So Far

The disappearance of more than 30 sabungeros—Filipino cockfighting enthusiasts—has become one of the most confounding and disturbing mysteries in the Philippines in recent years. Despite high-level investigations, Senate hearings, and mounting public pressure, the case remains largely unresolved. As theories swirl and new testimonies surface, here is what we know so far about the vanishing sabungeros.

The Timeline of Disappearances

Between April 2021 and January 2022, at least 34 men connected to the e-sabong industry vanished across different provinces, including Bulacan, Laguna, Manila, Batangas, and Cavite. Most of them were:

• E-sabong workers, bettors, handlers, or game fixers
• Last seen inside or near cockpits or traveling to sabong events
• Abducted in broad daylight, some caught on CCTV
• Never heard from again, with no ransom demands or evidence of life

Despite early concerns, the cases were initially treated as separate incidents—until families and media reports connected the similarities.

The Role of E-Sabong

At the time of the disappearances, e-sabong was a government-sanctioned and highly profitable online cockfighting industry. It generated billions in revenue and was linked to powerful political and business interests.

However, it also attracted criminal elements, including illegal match-fixing, unregulated betting, and allegations of debt-related violence. Some of the missing sabungeros were believed to have been involved in disputes over money, rigged matches, or insider knowledge that may have made them targets.

The CCTV Evidence

Several key pieces of surveillance footage emerged early in the investigation:

• Men being dragged into vehicles outside cockpits
• Armed individuals wearing face masks and tactical gear
• Victims not resisting, possibly coerced or threatened

These videos showed clear signs of coordinated abduction operations, though few arrests followed in their immediate aftermath.

Testimony from an Insider: Totoy

The most explosive development came in 2025 when a man known only as “Totoy” came forward to confess his involvement in a mass abduction and killing operation targeting sabungeros. In his testimony to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Totoy claimed:

• Victims were strangled and dumped into Taal Lake, weighed down with stones and sandbags
• He worked with over 30 accomplices, including private guards and police officers
• The operation was allegedly ordered by a group called “Alpha”, connected to a broader gambling syndicate

His confession has become the basis for renewed investigations and a possible conspiracy case.

The Search for Evidence

Following Totoy’s claims, the government launched a search operation in Taal Lake, believed to be the victims’ final resting place. However, efforts to recover remains have been hampered by:

• Dangerous underwater conditions due to volcanic activity
• Depth and murkiness of the lake
• Lack of precise location data

Authorities have requested help from foreign partners to use remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) and sonar equipment in the search.

Where the Investigation Stands

As of now:

• No bodies have been recovered
• No high-ranking figures have been charged
• Several police officers are under investigation or have been relieved of duty
• The DOJ and Philippine National Police (PNP) continue to pursue leads based on Totoy’s testimony
• The Supreme Court is being asked to provide legal safeguards to ensure fair and uncorrupted prosecution

Families of the victims have expressed frustration over the pace and transparency of the investigation, saying they have been kept in the dark for too long.

Public Response and Outcry

The case has triggered nationwide outrage, with advocacy groups, lawmakers, and the general public calling for justice and accountability. Hashtags like #NasaanAngMgaSabungero and #JusticeForSabungeros have trended multiple times, and victims' families have testified before the Senate.

The mystery has become more than just about missing persons—it now represents growing fears about police involvement in crime, the dangers of legalized gambling, and the limits of government accountability.

Conclusion: A Case Still Without Closure

Despite shocking revelations and ongoing investigations, the case of the vanishing sabungeros remains far from resolved. For the families, each passing day without answers only deepens the grief. For the public, the case has come to symbolize a dangerous mix of criminality, silence, and systemic failure.

What we know so far points to a well-coordinated, large-scale operation. What we don’t know—or haven’t proven—continues to haunt the nation.

Until there is justice, the mystery of the missing sabungeros remains a wound that refuses to close.