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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOJ says Atong Ang still in PH

DOJ says Atong Ang still in PH

Published Jan 14, 2026 04:50 pm
Businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, who has been ordered arrested in the cases of “sabungeros,” is still in the Philippines, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
DOJ Spokesperson and Prosecution Attorney Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez informed journalists that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) was able to check that Ang has not left the country.
“As confirmed by BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval, there is no record of Atong Ang leaving the country,” he said.
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 26 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna issued arrest warrant against Ang and his co-accused.
The DOJ said it will ask the court to issue hold departure order (HDO) against Ang and his co-accused.
Ang and his co-accused were charged before the Sta. Cruz RTC with non-bailable charges of kidnapping with homicide for the disappearance in 2022 of four “sabungeros” -- Manny M. Magbanua, Ferdinand Q. Dizon, Mark Paul R. Fernandine, and Melbert John A. Santos.
Ang’s co-accused in the cases are Rogelio Teodoso Borican Jr., Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum, Mark Carlo Evangelista Zabala, Rodelio Antipuesto Anig-Ig, Emman Cayunda Falle, Julios Tagalog Gumolon, Ronquillo Pacot Anding, Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa, Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan, Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, Anderson Orozco Abary, Michael Jaictin Claveria, Edmon Hernandez Munoz, Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz, Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio, Alfredo Uy Andes, and Joey Natanauan Encarnacion.
Aside from the Sta. Cruz RTC, other cases were filed against Ang and his co-accused before the RTCs in Lipa City in Batangas and San Pablo City in Laguna.
It was not known immediately if the two RTCs have issued arrest orders.
There was a total of 26 criminal charges filed against Ang before the various courts including 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.
Whistleblower Julie Patidongan alleged that the missing “sabungeros” were killed after being accused of cheating or, in the local dialect, “tyope.”
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