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Atong Ang seeks CIDG reinvestigation into 'missing sabungeros' case

Philippines | National

Atong Ang seeks CIDG reinvestigation into 'missing sabungeros' case

By Aaron Recuenco

Gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang files raps against Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alias “Totoy” and Alan Bantiles alias “Brown” who accused him to be the mastermind behind the abduction of several cockfight watchers before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Santi San Juan)

Gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang files raps against Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alias “Totoy” and Alan Bantiles alias “Brown” who accused him to be the mastermind behind the abduction of several cockfight watchers before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Santi San Juan)

The camp of businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang wants the investigation into the “missing sabungeros” be returned to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Lawyer Gabriel Villareal argued that the PNP, through the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, is in a better position to conduct a reinvestigation of the case, which in turn, will help the Department of Justice to come up with a sound case build-up.

“What he is asking the panel for is to return the entire case to the CIDG for proper and impartial investigation,” said Villareal.

He said the arguments were already stipulated in the affidavit submitted to the DOJ.

While Ang could have sought for dismissal of the case, Villareal explained that his client opted for the conduct of reinvestigation in order to eliminate all doubts in relation to those responsible for the disappearance of the missing sabungeros.

And according to Villareal, it starts with the conduct of the reinvestigation of the case which he said could be properly done by the PNP since the conduct of an investigation is the police’s line of expertise.

Ang has been denying his involvement in the disappearance of the cockfighters after his name came up based on the statements made by whistleblower Julie Patidongan.

Ang has already filed a case against Patidongan whose statements resulted in the suspension of at least 15 policemen, the highest ranking is a police colonel.

Villareal said Ang personally appeared to the DOJ to submit the affidavit, adding that the move was also aimed at proving that he did not leave the country.

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