Actress Denies Role in Sabungeros’ Disappearance
Whistleblower implicates Barretto in missing cockfighting enthusiasts case
**Gretchen Barretto**, actress and socialite, refuted allegations of involvement in the disappearance of over 30 “sabungeros,” or cockfighting enthusiasts. This comes after a whistleblower implicated her in the case.
Key Allegations
**Julie “Dondon” Patidongan**, also known as “Alyas Totoy,” identified himself as the security chief for **Charlie “Atong” Ang**’s game fowl farms for 15 years. He alleges that **Barretto** and **Ang**, a gaming tycoon involved in online cockfighting, orchestrated the abduction and killing of the sabungeros.
Barretto’s Firm Denial
In a statement through her lawyer, **Alma Mallonga**, **Barretto** dismissed the allegations as purely speculative. The statement asserts that the whistleblower admits to having no direct knowledge of any wrongdoing by **Barretto**.
“While he has not witnessed anything that **Ms. Barretto** has said or done, the whistleblower maliciously speculates she must nonetheless somehow be involved because of her close connection with **Mr. Atong Ang**. He insists that **Ms. Barretto**, being an ‘alpha member’ of Pitmaster, must know everything that is happening. He has even changed his story, now characterizing **Ms. Barretto** as a ‘mastermind’ based on the suspicion and illogical reasoning.”
—**Alma Mallonga**, Lawyer for **Gretchen Barretto**
**Barretto** acknowledged being one of approximately 20 investors but denied involvement in the day-to-day operations of the business. According to Statista, the cockfighting industry in the Philippines generated over 5 billion pesos in revenue in 2022, prior to the suspension of e-sabong operations (Statista 2022).
Investigation Details
**Barretto** emphasized that she did not manage the “sabungan” (cockpit) and had no involvement in the suspended e-sabong operations. Her statement further refuted any attendance at meetings concerning the disappearances, calling the accusations absurd and fabricated.
