DNA Test Results Finally Revealed: Bones Discovered in Remote Area Match Missing Sabungeros — The Chilling Truth Is Just Beginning!

Manila, Philippines — In a shocking and heartbreaking revelation that has reignited public outrage and deepened a mystery that has haunted the nation for over two years, DNA test results have confirmed that human remains recently discovered in a remote area of Batangas belong to several of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) who vanished under suspicious circumstances in early 2022.

This long-awaited confirmation ends months of speculation about the identity of the bones and fragments found in a shallow grave in late May 2025. But as authorities finally close one chapter of this dark saga, a deeper and more terrifying story is beginning to unfold — one that may expose a criminal syndicate operating in the shadows of the lucrative but controversial e-sabong world.

The Discovery: A Grim Scene in the Mountains of Batangas

On May 23, a local farmer in a rural area of Rosario, Batangas, stumbled upon what he thought were animal bones while clearing a portion of land for cultivation. Upon closer inspection, he noticed what looked like a skull and fragments of human clothing. He immediately alerted authorities.

Police forensic teams cordoned off the area and conducted an excavation. What they found shocked even seasoned investigators: multiple skeletal remains, some with signs of blunt force trauma, shallowly buried near a ravine. Pieces of clothing, mobile phone parts, and two wallets were recovered alongside the remains.

The discovery came nearly three years after the mysterious disappearance of over 30 sabungeros, many of whom were last seen entering cockfighting arenas or gambling establishments connected to the now-banned e-sabong (online cockfighting) operations.

DNA Results Confirm Identities of Missing Men

This week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory confirmed through DNA analysis that at least three of the bone samples matched the genetic profiles of missing men reported by their families during the 2022 sabungeros disappearance crisis.

The identified individuals include:

• Rodolfo “Jun” Magbanua, 39, last seen in Laguna after attending an e-sabong event.
• Mario Aquino, 42, a tricycle driver and casual bettor from Bulacan.
• Erwin Dulay, 36, an e-sabong employee believed to have inside knowledge of betting manipulations.

Each of their families had submitted DNA samples to the PNP years ago, in the hopes that their loved ones would one day be found — dead or alive.

“We now have confirmation that our son was murdered,” said Gloria Magbanua, Rodolfo’s mother, through tears. “But we still don’t know why, or who did this.”

Government Reacts: Justice Secretary Orders Full Investigation

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla immediately issued a directive to reopen and expand the investigation into the sabungeros case, calling the discovery a “breakthrough — and a warning.”

“We are no longer speculating. We have proof. These men were not just missing. They were murdered,” Remulla said during a press briefing. “And now we must ask: Who ordered this? Who benefited from their silence?”

Remulla also announced that a special task force would be reactivated, composed of members from the NBI, CIDG, and PAOCC (Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission), tasked with pursuing all leads, including potential links to gambling syndicates, corrupt law enforcement officers, and private security groups.

Shocking Allegations Resurface: E-Sabong Syndicate Involvement?

The confirmed deaths of the sabungeros have brought back chilling allegations that surfaced during the height of the e-sabong boom in 2020–2022 — when billions of pesos flowed through online betting platforms operated by powerful business figures and, allegedly, protected by complicit government officials.

Many of the missing men were believed to have either won large sums, witnessed illegal operations, or refused to participate in match-fixing schemes. Several whistleblowers at the time claimed that some sabungeros were abducted and executed to cover up fraud, rigged fights, or stolen funds.

One informant told media in 2023:

“There are big names involved. Some of the missing men saw things they weren’t supposed to. They were silenced.”

Although no high-profile arrests were made at the time, today’s confirmation could change that.

Spotlight on Lucky 8 and Other Suspicious Operators

The name “Lucky 8 Star Quest” — once the largest e-sabong operator in the country — has resurfaced in discussions. While the company was shut down in 2022 after President Bongbong Marcos banned e-sabong, critics argue that little was done to investigate its internal dealings or uncover whether it was involved in the disappearances.

At the center of controversy is businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, who has long denied any wrongdoing. Ang has not been linked to any criminal case involving the missing sabungeros, but his name continues to be whispered in online forums and Senate halls alike.

In a previous interview, Ang said:

“These are tragic cases, but they have nothing to do with me. I ran a legitimate business approved by PAGCOR.”

However, families of the victims are demanding deeper investigations into all entities that profited during the e-sabong craze — regardless of their public image or political protection.

Families Demand Justice

With the identities of the remains now confirmed, families of the deceased are asking the government to move swiftly. Human rights groups and senators alike have called the incident “a national shame” and “one of the darkest failures of Philippine law enforcement.”

Senator Raffy Tulfo, who advocated for the victims’ families early on, issued a strongly worded statement:

“We let these families suffer in silence for too long. Now we must give them justice. No more excuses. No more cover-ups.”

What Happens Next?

With the confirmation of deaths, the Department of Justice is preparing to file murder charges — even as it continues to build a case to uncover the larger forces at play. The NBI is expected to release a report within the month identifying persons of interest, based on digital forensics, GPS tracking, and financial records.

Meanwhile, the grieving families are preparing to lay their loved ones to rest — finally, with dignity and truth, but still without closure.

Conclusion: A Tragic Truth, and a Terrifying Question

The mystery of the missing sabungeros is no longer a mystery. It is a proven case of mass murder, hidden under the glamor and greed of one of the most profitable gambling trends in Philippine history.

And now the question that remains is: How many more victims are still out there, buried in silence?

The truth may just be beginning — but so is the fight for justice.