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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Atong Ang's camp welcomes start of preliminary investigation into 'missing sabungeros' case

Atong Ang's camp welcomes start of preliminary investigation into 'missing sabungeros' case

Published Sep 11, 2025 09:48 am
Atong Ang and Atty. Lorna Kapunan arrive at the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office to file charges against Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alias “Totoy” and Alan Bantiles alias “Brown” for accusing Ang as the mastermind behind the disappearance of the missing sabungeros. (Photo from JourNolan Facebook page)
Atong Ang and Atty. Lorna Kapunan arrive at the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office to file charges against Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alias “Totoy” and Alan Bantiles alias “Brown” for accusing Ang as the mastermind behind the disappearance of the missing sabungeros. (Photo from JourNolan Facebook page)
The camp of Charlie “Atong” Ang welcomed the decision of the Department of Justice to summon the businessman and 17 others in connection with the ongoing investigation into the cases of missing sabungeros.
Ang’s spokesperson lawyer Gabriel Villareal said the start of the preliminary investigation will give them the opportunity to dispute all the allegations made by Julie Patidongan in the proper forum.
“We meet with guarded optimism the news regarding the formal commencement of the preliminary investigation into the case of the so-called ‘missing sabungeros’,” said Villareal.
“We welcome the opportunity to respond frontally to the accusations which have since been shrouded in innuendo and unsubstantiated claims by a Julie “Dondon” Patidongan,” he added.
According to Villareal, Patidongan has a motive in tagging his client and should be the one explaining his role in the disappearances of the cockfighters.
Ang’s camp earlier denied the allegation of Patidongan that he orchestrated the kidnapping of the missing sabungeros.
Patidongan earlier claimed that some of the bodies were dumped into the Taal Lake in Batangas. The search and recovery operations, however, are yet to produce substantial pieces of evidence.
The camp of Ang earlier said that the allegations made by Patidongan served as his way out of being imprisoned over his role in the incident.
Villareal advised Patidongan to prepare for the preliminary investigation.
“The time for reckoning has come. In time, the truth about the one truly responsible for the disappearances of the ‘missing sabungeros’ will come out,” said Villareal.
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