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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOJ to seek transfer to Manila court cases vs Atong Ang, others in missing 'sabungeros'

DOJ to seek transfer to Manila court cases vs Atong Ang, others in missing 'sabungeros'

Published Dec 10, 2025 03:48 pm
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is eyeing the transfer to Manila of the cases filed before various courts in Batangas and Laguna against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and 21 other accused in the missing “sabungeros” or cockfight enthusiasts.
With the planned transfer, the DOJ has to file a petition for transfer of venue before the Supreme Court (SC).
DOJ Spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez said the cases against Ang and the other accused have been filed before the regional trial courts (RTCs) in Lipa City in Batangas, and in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City in Laguna.
A total of 26 criminal charges were filed in courts against Ang, including 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.
Ang’s 21 co-accused on in the cases of kidnapping with homicide were 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.
Also charged with Ang in the cases of kidnapping with serious illegal detention were Oraga, Claveria, Anig-ig, Borican, Almedilla, Encarnacion, and Cabillan.
The DOJ, however, dismissed the complaints against a number of respondents including actress Gretchen Barretto and whistleblower Julie Aguilar Patidongan and his brother Ellakim Tadulan Patidongan.
It said the charges against the Patidongan brothers were dismissed because they have been admitted as state witnesses.
On the other hand, Julie Patidongan and five other accused are still facing before the Manila RTC Branch 185 six counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) in connection with the 2022 disappearance of six “sabungeros” who were enroute to the Manila Arena, a cockfight venue, from Tanay, Rizal.
Julie Patidongan alleged that the missing sabungeros were killed for cheating or, in the local dialect, “tyope.”
Law enforcers are still searching Taal Lake in Batangas where, Julie Patidongan claimed, the bodies of the killed “sabungeros” were dumped.
Ang’s legal counsel, lawyer Gabriel L. Villareal described the ruling of the DOJ's panel of prosecutors as "deeply flawed and grossly unfair to the accused."
Villareal disclosed that a motion for reconsideration will be filed before the DOJ.
Meanwhile, Barretto’s lawyer, Alma Mallonga, said: “As Ms. Gretchen Barretto had steadfastly maintained, there is no truth to the accusations against her. She played no part in the case of the missing ‘sabungeros.’”
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