After cheating death twice, a local councilor in Laguna province is no longer afraid to tell it all.
This, after the councilor, allegedly involved in the case of notorious businessman and gambling lord Charlie “Atong” Ang, has stepped forward to give more credence to the case of the "sabungeros" who had been missing since 2022.
In a media interview, Calamba City, Laguna councilor Arvin Manguiat admitted his connection to the unresolved case that is now taking police to the depths of Taal Lake, where another whistleblower claims the remains of the missing sabungeros were buried.
Manguiat said that he worked as a master agent in an online cockfighting (e-sabong) industry, his job is to recruit bettors, process wagers, and distribute winnings.
The local solon also claimed that he was once closely associated with Ang and Julie Dondon Patidongan, also known as Alias “Totoy”, the primary whistleblower who made the allegations about the fate of the missing sabungeros.
Manguiat added the "turning point" came in June 2021, when a sabongero sought his help after allegedly escaping from AA Cobra Farm in Santa Cruz, Laguna.
After aiding the individual, the councilor said his relationship with Ang fell and shortly after, he was nearly killed in what he described as a "coordinated ambush."
Four years later, Patidongan publicly testified that Manguiyat had been placed on a P2 million hit list, allegedly ordered by Ang, who believed Manguiat was financially supporting the fugitive sabongero.
Patidongan claimed the bounty was not paid out after the ambush failed to kill Manguiat.
According to the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), 12 of those officers are still in active service and have been served summons. They are required to submit formal responses within five days.
The remaining six have already been dismissed.
Retired General Jonel Estomo, who was also named in Patidongan’s affidavit, has categorically denied the accusations and stated that he is preparing legal action to dispute what he called “malicious and baseless claims.”
NAPOLCOM’s Inspection and Monitoring Service (EMIS) confirmed that the case has sufficient basis to move forward.