Missing sabungeros’ case transferred to Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines —  From Batangas and Laguna courts, the trial for the case of the missing sabungeros has been transferred to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, according to the Department of Justice. DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez said the QCRTC will hear the kidnapping with homicide and serious illegal detention charges filed against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and several other respondents.

The charges were originally filed in separate courts in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo in Laguna, and Lipa in Batangas.

Martinez said the cases were raffled to three separate branches of the QCRTC, which issued notices to the parties involved.

The transfer was pursuant to a resolution of the Supreme Court issued on Feb. 5, Martinez said.

The prosecution panel requested the transfer, citing security reasons and the sensitive nature of the case.

Relatives of five of 34 missing sabungeros said they sought the transfer of the cases to Quezon City so more families can attend.

The families have filed complaints of obstruction of justice against Ang’s lawyer, Caroline Cruz, and three others for allegedly giving P40,000 per month and other perks to relatives of other missing cockfight enthusiasts in exchange for not attending the hearings.

Cruz has denied the allegation.

Aside from Ang, several others including police officers are facing arrest for the disappearance of the cockfight enthusiasts, who were seized in Manila in 2022.

A suspect-turned-state witness claimed the sabungeros have been killed and their bodies dumped in Taal Lake.

The DOJ vowed to pursue the charges against Ang even as some relatives have lost interest in the case.