Atong Ang may still face charges in Manila Arena 'missing sabungeros' case
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) said tycoon Atong Ang could potentially be included as a respondent in the ongoing case building involving "missing sabungeros" who were last seen at the Manila Arena before vanishing.
In a press conference on Thursday, December 11, Prosecutor General Anthony Fadullon said the DOJ plans to conduct another preliminary investigation into the disappearance of the missing cockfight enthusiasts.
"Puwede pa siyang [Ang] masama doon. Kaya lang kailangan magkaroon muna ng preliminary investigation at malaman talagang mayroong ebidensya patungkol sa kanya na magiging basehan para siya ay masama doon sa kaso," Fadullon said.
(He [Ang] can still be included there. However, there needs to be a preliminary investigation first, and we need to determine that there is indeed evidence concerning him that will serve as the basis for his inclusion in that case.)
The case Fadullon referred to was filed in a Manila court and involves charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention linked to the alleged abduction of cockfight enthusiasts John Claude Inonog, James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, and Rowel Gomez.
Among the respondents in the case was self-proclaimed whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who, along with his brother Elakim Patidongan, was admitted to the witness protection program in connection with the kidnapping charges filed against Atong Ang and several police officers.
When asked about the potential directions or outcomes of the possible investigation, Fadullon declined to speculate.
Fadullon, meanwhile, said that actress Gretchen Barretto, who was initially implicated in the case, was dropped as a respondent due to lack of sufficient evidence.
On December 9, the DOJ recommended filing kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention charges against Atong Ang and several others in connection with the disappearance of the missing cockfight enthusiasts.
The DOJ’s recommendation was strongly opposed by Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, who described the indictment as “flawed and unfair.”
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