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2021–2022 Luzon sabungero disappearances

ONGOING2021Luzon, Philippines (primarily Laguna province)3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026
Taal Lake & Volcano from Tagaytay, Jul 2025 (1)
Taal Lake & Volcano from Tagaytay, Jul 2025 (1) — Credit: Ralff Nestor Nacor · CC BY-SA 4.0

Between April 2021 and January 2022, at least 34 people involved in cockfighting, known in Filipino as sabungeros, disappeared from various locations across Luzon, Philippines. Most disappearances, 19 in total, occurred in Laguna province, with additional cases reported in Batangas, Bulacan, Manila, and Rizal. At least one victim was confirmed to have been kidnapped. The cases drew significant national media attention, with victims collectively referred to as "the missing sabungeros."

The first documented disappearance occurred on April 28, 2021, when a man identified as Prince was seen being escorted in handcuffs in Santa Cruz, Laguna. Subsequent disappearances followed a pattern involving armed men, staged arrests, and financial theft from victims' bank accounts. On August 30, 2021, chicken breeder and online cockfighting "master agent" Ricardo Lasco was taken from his home in San Pablo, Laguna, by men who identified themselves as National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents; the NBI later stated no such operation occurred that day. In January 2022, several more sabungeros disappeared after traveling to cockfighting events in Batangas and Manila, including brothers Jeffrey and Nomer Depano, whose abandoned van was later found with their clothes inside.

Philippine authorities, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Justice (DOJ), and National Bureau of Investigation, launched investigations throughout 2022, identifying persons of interest, tracing cellphone locations, and eventually indicting three police officers in connection with the Lasco case. Businessman Atong Ang was implicated by witnesses in March 2022, an allegation he denied. Misinformation also circulated online, including false claims about bodies being found, which were debunked by police as unrelated to a shootout in Maguindanao.

The case remained largely unresolved until June 2025, when a man using the alias "Totoy" came forward to GMA News, claiming to have knowledge of the killings. He alleged that victims were restrained, transported, and strangled, and that their remains were disposed of in Taal Lake. Totoy also claimed the true number of victims was closer to 100, far exceeding the 34 initially reported, and implicated approximately 30 individuals, including 20 police officers, as well as Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto. Both Ang and Barretto denied involvement. DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that corroborating evidence had been found, though its nature was not disclosed. Search operations by the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy at Taal Lake and a fish farm in Talisay, Batangas, recovered sacks containing possible bones, pending forensic confirmation.

In January 2026, a court in Santa Cruz, Laguna, issued arrest warrants for Ang and others on kidnapping and homicide charges. Seventeen individuals, including ten police officers, were arrested; Ang remained at large, prompting government reward offers and an Interpol Red Notice issued in May 2026. President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier acknowledged in 2022 that the missing sabungeros were likely dead and later ordered the termination of online cockfighting (e-sabong) operations due to their social cost.

Key facts

Victims
Jeffrey Depano, Edgar Malaca, Alexander Quijano, Atong Sacdalan, Nomer Depano, Prince, Ricardo Lasco
Date
2021
Location
Luzon, Philippines (primarily Laguna province)
Case status
ongoing

Case timeline

  1. 2021-04-28

    First documented disappearance: a man identified as Prince is seen escorted in handcuffs in Santa Cruz, Laguna.

  2. 2021-05-11

    Cellphone video records two more sabungeros in Santa Cruz shortly before their disappearance.

  3. 2021-08-30

    Ricardo Lasco is taken from his home in San Pablo, Laguna, by armed men claiming to be NBI agents; he is not seen again.

  4. 2022-01-05

    Brothers Jeffrey and Nomer Depano disappear after a cockfight event in Lipa, Batangas; their van is later found abandoned.

  5. 2022-01-06

    Three more sabungeros from Hagonoy, Bulacan, are reported missing after traveling to an e-sabong event in Lipa.

  6. 2022-01-13

    Ten cockfight players go missing from Manila Arena in Santa Ana, Manila; CCTV shows a convoy of vehicles leaving the scene.

  7. 2022-01-18

    Local news outlets first report on the disappearances.

  8. 2022-02-04

    A luxury car used to transport cockfight enthusiasts is found abandoned in Malate, Manila, with its engine running.

  9. 2022-02-08

    PNP announces it has identified persons of interest in the disappearances.

  10. 2022-02-17

    DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra orders the NBI to investigate the disappearance of over 20 sabungeros.

  11. 2022-02-25

    False social media posts claiming discovery of victims' bodies are debunked by police.

  12. 2022-02-28

    Senate Resolution No. 996 is filed urging PAGCOR to suspend e-sabong operations.

  13. 2022-03-16

    Police identify eight people allegedly involved in the disappearances.

  14. 2022-03-17

    President Rodrigo Duterte raises the possibility that the missing sabungeros are dead.

  15. 2022-03-21

    Witnesses implicate businessman Atong Ang in the disappearances; Ang denies involvement.

  16. 2022-05-04

    Duterte orders the termination of e-sabong operations.

  17. 2022-10-08

    Authorities trace cellphone locations of two missing men via IMEI numbers; CIDG releases composite sketches.

  18. 2022-12-19

    DOJ announces indictment of three police officers in connection with the Lasco kidnapping and robbery.

  19. 2023-02-13

    Police release photos of six Manila Arena security guards allegedly involved in the disappearances.

  20. 2025-06

    A suspect using the alias 'Totoy' comes forward to GMA News, alleging victims were killed and buried in Taal Lake.

  21. 2025-06-20

    Philippine Navy and Coast Guard mobilize to search Taal Lake for remains.

  22. 2025-06-23

    DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announces corroborating evidence has been found.

  23. 2025-06-26

    Totoy names Gretchen Barretto as allegedly involved; she denies the claim.

  24. 2025-07-03

    Remulla announces Barretto and Ang are considered suspects.

  25. 2025-07-10

    Philippine Coast Guard begins dive operations at a fish farm in Talisay, Batangas; a sack with possible bones is recovered.

  26. 2026-01-13

    A Santa Cruz, Laguna court issues arrest warrants for Ang and others on kidnapping and homicide charges; seventeen individuals, including ten police officers, are arrested.

  27. 2026-05-11

    Interpol issues a Red Notice against Atong Ang.

Best coverage

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People

  • Jeffrey Depano

    VICTIM

    Sabungero who disappeared with his brother Nomer after a cockfight event in Lipa, Batangas, on January 5, 2022.

  • Edgar Malaca

    VICTIM

    Sabungero from Hagonoy, Bulacan, reported missing after traveling to an e-sabong event in Lipa, Batangas.

  • Alexander Quijano

    VICTIM

    Sabungero from Hagonoy, Bulacan, reported missing after traveling to an e-sabong event in Lipa, Batangas.

  • Atong Sacdalan

    VICTIM

    Sabungero from Hagonoy, Bulacan, reported missing after traveling to an e-sabong event in Lipa, Batangas.

  • Atong Ang

    CHARGED

    Businessman implicated by witnesses in 2022 and later by a suspect in 2025; charged with kidnapping and homicide in January 2026; remains at large with an Interpol Red Notice issued in May 2026. Denies involvement.

  • Nomer Depano

    VICTIM

    Sabungero who disappeared with his brother Jeffrey after a cockfight event in Lipa, Batangas, on January 5, 2022.

  • Prince

    VICTIM

    Sabungero seen escorted in handcuffs in Santa Cruz, Laguna, on April 28, 2021, before disappearing.

  • Gretchen Barretto

    CHARGED

    Former actress named by a suspect in June 2025 as allegedly involved in the abductions; considered a suspect by the DOJ as of July 2025. Denies involvement.

  • Ricardo Lasco

    VICTIM

    Chicken breeder and online cockfighting 'master agent' taken from his home in San Pablo, Laguna, on August 30, 2021.

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

Archival records

  • Taal Lake & Volcano from Tagaytay, Jul 2025 (1)

    archival location

    Taal Lake & Volcano from Tagaytay, Jul 2025 (1)

    Credit: Ralff Nestor Nacor · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

Places

Luzon, Philippines (primarily Laguna province)

14.2000, 121.2000

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?
Between April 2021 and January 2022, at least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros) disappeared from various parts of Luzon, Philippines, mostly from Laguna. In 2025, a self-identified suspect alleged the victims were killed and their bodies dumped in Taal Lake, implicating dozens of people including police officers, businessman Atong Ang, and former actress Gretchen Barretto, both of whom have denied involvement.
Where did the disappearances happen?
Luzon, Philippines (primarily Laguna province).
What is the current status of the case?
Status: ongoing. Last verified July 2026.
More cases in Philippines

Sources

  1. ENCYCLOPEDIC2021–2022 Luzon sabungero disappearancesWikipedia · 2026-07-07
  2. PRESSContemporaneous coverage of the Luzon sabungero disappearancesBBC News · 2026-07-07
  3. PRESSPNP calls out disinformation on alleged bodies of missing sabungerosgmanetwork.com · 2026-07-07

Record history

First published
JUL 07, 2026
Last verified against sources
JUL 07, 2026