The mystery surrounding the disappearance of over 30 sabungeros—Filipino cockfighting enthusiasts tied to the now-banned e-sabong (online cockfighting) industry—has stunned the nation. What began as scattered missing persons cases eventually formed a disturbing pattern, pointing to possible organized abduction, murder, and systemic cover-up.
This timeline presents a chronological overview of key events, testimonies, and investigations in the still-unresolved saga of the missing sabungeros.
April 2021 – First Disappearances Reported
- Reports begin to surface of sabungeros disappearing under suspicious circumstances.
- Initial cases are treated as isolated incidents, often linked to personal or gambling-related disputes.
June–December 2021 – More Men Vanish
- Multiple sabungeros go missing in Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, and Rizal.
- CCTV footage shows victims being abducted near cockpits.
- Some are taken by armed men in civilian vehicles.
- No ransom demands are made. Families start to suspect a coordinated plot.
January 13, 2022 – Disappearance at Manila Arena
- Eleven sabungeros vanish after attending a match at the Manila Arena in Sta. Ana.
- CCTV shows men being herded into vans.
- This incident draws national attention due to the number of victims and the brazenness of the abduction.
February 2022 – National Outcry Grows
- Families demand government action.
- Public outrage builds as more disappearances are reported.
- Media outlets begin treating the disappearances as part of a broader mystery.
March 2022 – Senate Holds Hearings
- Senators call on law enforcement agencies to explain their slow progress.
- Families testify, demanding answers.
- Allegations of police involvement begin to emerge.
May 2022 – E-Sabong Banned by President Duterte
- President Rodrigo Duterte suspends then permanently bans e-sabong operations.
- The decision is partly in response to the unsolved disappearances and social issues linked to online cockfighting.
2023 – Case Stalls, Few Leads Found
- Despite continued calls for justice, no bodies are recovered.
- Investigations appear to lose momentum.
- Some suspects are questioned, but no major arrests are made.
April 2025 – Totoy Surfaces as Whistleblower
- A man identified only as “Totoy” confesses to involvement in the abductions.
- He tells the DOJ he helped kill and dispose of multiple sabungeros.
- He claims over 100 may have been murdered and dumped into Taal Lake.
- He names accomplices, including active-duty police officers and a powerful group called “Alpha.”
May 2025 – DOJ and PNP Launch Expanded Investigations
- Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirms Totoy’s testimony is being taken seriously.
- The Philippine National Police relieves several officers from duty as part of the probe.
- Authorities initiate search and retrieval operations in Taal Lake.
June 2025 – Taal Lake Search Underway
- Divers from the Coast Guard and Navy begin searching the lake, but rough terrain and volcanic conditions hinder efforts.
- DOJ seeks assistance from foreign governments for remote-operated underwater search equipment.
- No bodies have been found as of this writing.
Ongoing – A Case Without Closure
- Investigations are ongoing.
- Families continue to demand justice and transparency.
- The public awaits names, arrests, and accountability.
Conclusion
From 2021 to 2025, the case of the missing sabungeros has gone from a string of isolated disappearances to a chilling story of mass abduction and possible systemic killings. While the testimonies and investigations have uncovered disturbing possibilities, justice remains elusive. This timeline is a reminder of the lives lost, the families left behind, and the questions that still have no answers.
Gwapo ni suspek na naka-green. Hahaha
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