Manila, July 31 -- Two persons purportedly linked to the case of the missing "sabungeros" (cockfight afficionados) are now under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP), police officials said on Thursday.

In a press conference at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested suspects Elakim and Jose Patidongan in an undisclosed "Southeast Asian country" and brought them back to the Philippines on July 22.

The two are the brothers of Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, alias Totoy, the accused-turned-whistleblower in the sabungeros case.

"Naniniwala tayo na ito yung missing link sa kaso ng missing sabungeros (We believe they are the missing link in the case ...