DOJ issues subpoenas vs suspects in ‘missing sabungeros’ case

The Department of Justice has issued subpoenas starting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, against business tycoon Atong Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto and other suspects in connection with the case of the 34 missing sabungeros or cockfighting aficionados. — Photo from @juansarte/Instagram

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said it has already issued subpoenas against the suspects in the case of the missing sabungeros or cockfighting aficionados.

According to DOJ Spokesperson Mico Clavano, the department began issuing subpoenas on Tuesday.

“Their subpoenas have been issued from the preliminary report given by the NPS (National Prosecution Service) as against the 59 or 60 respondents in the case of the missing sabungeros,” said Clavano in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing.

“Because there are a lot of them and we usually serve that personally, the service is still ongoing,” he added.

Clavano then said that the service of the subpoenas are expected to be finished within Wednesday.

The suspects included business tycoon Atong Ang, and actress Gretchen Barretto — both of whom were identified by whistleblower Julie Patidongan to be involved in the case.

READ: Remulla: Atong Ang, Gretchen Barreto to be named suspects in missing sabungeros’ case

Patidongan was also the same whistleblower who made the harrowing claim that all the missing sabungeros had been killed and buried beneath Taal Lake in Batangas.

Meanwhile, it was on August 29 when the DOJ confirmed that it has already issued an immigration lookout bulletin order against the suspects in the case. /das