Atong Ang, 21 others indicted in sabungero case

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted businessman Atong Ang and 21 others over the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros.

The DOJ said its panel of prosecutors found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict Ang for 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

Twenty-one other respondents are likewise facing 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide, while 10 others as well as unidentified policemen,- have been charged with 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

The DOJ said the resolution was released yesterday but no copy was released to the media “pending receipt and possible filing of motions for reconsideration by the respondents.”

According to DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez, the 26 complaints would be filed before the Regional Trial Courts of Lipa City, Sta. Cruz, Laguna and San Pablo, Laguna.

Raps vs Gretchen, Estomo junked

The complaints against actress Gretchen Barretto and Metro Manila police chief Gen. Jonnel Estomo, also linked to the disappearance of sabungeros, have been dismissed.

The DOJ, however, said the cases were dismissed without prejudice to the re-filing of any complaint with the department “should future evidence arise linking them directly to the acts of unlawful detention.”

“With this development, the DOJ prays that the courts exact justice on those who should be held accountable,” it said in a statement.

Other respondents in the kidnapping with homicide charges were Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa, Rogelio Teodoso Borican Jr., Rodelo Anig-ig, Jezrel Mahilum, Mark Carlo Zabala, Ronquillo Anding, PSMS Joey Natanauan Encarnacion, PEMS Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan, PMSG Michael Jaictin Claveria, PSMS Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, PSMS Anderson Orozco Abary, PSSG Edmon Hernandez Muñoz, PSSG Alfredo Uy Andres, PMaj Philip Almedilla, PLt. Henry Sasaluya, PCMS Arturo Dela Cruz, PCpl. Angel Joseph Martin, Emman Cayunda Falle, Julious Tagalog Gumulon, PMSg Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio.

Meanwhile, those charged with kidnapping with serious illegal detention were PLtCol. Ryan Jay Orapa, PMSg Michael Jacitin Claveria, Rodelo Anig-ig, Rogelio Borican Jr., PSSG Alfredo Uy Andres, PMaj Philip Simborio Almedilla, PSMS Joey Encarnacion, PEMS Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan and John Does who are unidentified policemen belonging to the group of PLtCol. Ryan Jay Orapa.

The spate of mysterious disappearances in the country’s huge cockfighting industry in 2022 came back into the limelight in June this year after whistleblower Julie Patidongan, in a televised appearance, claimed the remains of the missing sabungeros were dumped in Taal Lake.

He said as many as 100 people were murdered over their alleged involvement in match-fixing, supposedly killed by police moonlighting for an online cockfight operator.

Search and retrieval operations have since been conducted in Taal Lake in search for the suspected remains of the missing sabungeros.

Sacks of bones have been retrieved and these are being subjected to forensic testing.

‘Deeply flawed’

Ang’s lawyer Gabriel Villareal described the DOJ resolution as “deeply flawed and grossly unfair,” and said he would likely file a motion for reconsideration and ask for the reversal of the decision.

“The ruling, while likely given the bias apparent from DOJ conduct, suffers from clear factual gaps and substantial inconsistencies. Clearly the panel relied heavily on the flawed testimony of a lone witness whose integrity is irreversibly compromised,” Villareal said in a statement.

“It is unfortunate that the DOJ has been taken for a ride by a dubious witness masquerading as a crusader, out to pin the blame on my client to save his hide,” he added.

“The fact that the DOJ did not recommend the filing of cases against the majority of those who were originally implicated in the case is, by itself, glaring proof of the spurious nature of Patidongan’s account,” he pointed out.

He expressed confidence they would be able to debunk the claims made by Patidongan, as he expressed dismay that the whistleblower had not been charged.