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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOJ to file in courts criminal charges vs Atong Ang, 21 others in cases of missing 'sabungeros'

DOJ to file in courts criminal charges vs Atong Ang, 21 others in cases of missing 'sabungeros'

Published Dec 9, 2025 08:19 pm
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, Dec. 9, approved the filing in courts of criminal charges against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and 21 other persons for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of “sabungeros” or cockfight enthusiasts.
In a statement, the DOJ said its panel of prosecutors, which conducted the preliminary investigation of the consolidated complaints, found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to charge Ang and his co-accused.
It said “a total of 26 information shall be filed with the appropriate courts of law for the conduct of trial,” it said.
The cases will be filed before the Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) in Lipa City in Batangas, and in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City in Laguna, it also said.
The DOJ did not specify who among Ang and his co-accused will be charged before the three RTC branches in Batangas and Laguna.
A copy of the resolution indicting Ang and his co-accused before the courts was not made public by the DOJ.
The DOJ said that Ang will be charged with 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide along with 21 other persons.
The co-accused were identified as Police Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa, Rogelio Tedoso Borican Jr., Rodelo Anig-ig, Mark Carlo Zabala, Ronquillo Anding, Police Senior Master Sergeant (PSMS) Joey Natanauan Encarnacion, Police Executive Master Sergeant (PEMS) Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan, Police Master Sergeant (PMSG) Michael Jaictin Claveria, PSMS Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, PSMS Anderson Orozco Abary, Police Staff Sergeant (PSSG) Edmon Hernandez Munoz, PSSG Alfredo Uy Andres, Police Maj. Philip Almedilla, Police Lt. Henry Sasaluya, Police Chief Master Sergeant (PCMS) Arturo Dela Cruz, PSMS Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz, Police Cpl. Angel Joseph Martin, Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum, Emman Cauda Falle, Julious Tagalog Gumulon, and PMSG Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio.
The DOJ said that Ang will also be charged with 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention along with Oraga, Claveria, Anig-ig, Borican, Almedilla, Encarnacion, and Cabillan.
“As to the other respondents (named in the consolidated complaints), the case/s were dismissed without prejudice to the re-filing of any complaint with the Department of Justice should future evidence arise linking them directly to the acts of unlawful detention,” it also said.
Actress Gretchen Barretto, who was one of those named as respondents in the complaints filed before the DOJ, was not included among those to be charged before the courts.
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