“El Pantera” Charged in Connection With Disappearance of National Guard Officers

Felipe N., alias “El Pantera,” was charged with the crime of forced disappearance committed by private individuals, with intent and as a co-perpetrator, for the disappearance of two National Guard agents in Tijuana on August 30, 2025. The investigation will be referred to federal jurisdiction.

The hearing was held on the afternoon of Thursday, September 18, in which the supervisory judge determined that the evidence presented by the Public Prosecutor’s Office established the defendant’s probable involvement in the crimes. He was ordered to be held in preventive detention, and a six-month period was established for the additional investigation.

According to the evidence, José Luis Villaseca Rodríguez, 40, and Omar Eliseo Alonso Padilla, 35, along with other colleagues, went to the bar “Los Dos Amigos,” located in the Nueva Tijuana neighborhood, around 5:00 p.m., to play pool.

At the scene, a dark-skinned man with tattoos over most of his body and approximately 1.80 meters tall approached them to play. These characteristics match those of Felipe N., alias “El Pantera,” also known as “El Apa.”

After two hours, one of the colleagues received a call to return to work and left the premises. However, the now-missing men remained at the bar. When they tried to contact them later, there was no response. Their colleagues returned to look for them, but they were no longer there.

Due to the missing personnel and the lack of communication with their families, the protocol for missing military personnel was activated on September 1st. A search warrant was also issued for José Luis and Omar Eliseo.

During the investigation, thanks to security cameras and testimony, the officers were located leaving the scene around 10:00 p.m. aboard a sedan-type taxi with a green stripe. While another group of people watched from outside, the missing men got into the back seat of the vehicle, along with a man with characteristics similar to those of the accused. Another young man sat in the passenger seat.

According to analysis of the C5 cameras, the taxi continued along José Luis López Portillo Avenue, headed toward Bellas Artes, descended Terán Terán Boulevard, and headed toward the Las Torres and 10 de Mayo neighborhoods, until reaching Federalismo Street.

“Go towards the Nido de Las Aguilas neighborhood, where the Sinaloans are”, the defendant allegedly ordered, until they reached Durango Street, in the Nido de Las Aguilas neighborhood, accompanied by the National Guardsmen, who were presumably drunk. 

“Shut your fucking mouth, don’t talk,” He told one of the guards during the journey.

According to the geolocation of Omar Eliseo Alonso Padilla’s phone, the last recorded location was precisely in the Nido de las Águilas neighborhood, around 11:08 p.m.

In light of the testimony and recordings presented by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the supervisory judge issued a court order for him to be prosecuted, with a six-month investigation period. Although Felipe N. reserved his right to testify, he shook his head when he heard the ruling on his legal situation.

It should be noted that the Public Prosecutor from the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) filed a request for lack of jurisdiction due to declination, based on jurisdiction, to transfer the investigation file to the federal court.

According to the FGE, the defendant and other individuals involved show evidence of being linked to organized crime and human trafficking, both crimes under federal jurisdiction. Furthermore, the victims are members of the federal armed forces.

Therefore, jurisdiction was transferred to the corresponding federal judge, and the necessary documents will be sent along with the investigation file so that federal authorities can continue the investigation related to the crimes committed against the National Guard officers.

Regarding the motive for the disappearance, no specific information was provided. However, at a press conference on September 15, the state attorney general indicated that the National Guard members had an argument with “El Pantera” while under the influence of alcohol. Although they apparently resolved their differences, they were tricked and taken to another location for retaliation.

Regarding the possible discovery of the deceased officers near the Nido de las Águilas neighborhood, on Monday, September 15, two bodies were found that matched the physical characteristics of the missing individuals. However, their identity hasn’t yet been officially confirmed.

Sources: Zeta Tijuana, Punto Norte