2nd arrest order issued by another RTC vs Atong Ang, co-accused in cases of missing 'sabungeros'
Another court, the Lipa City regional trial court (RTC), ordered the arrest of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and his co-accused on criminal charges in the cases of missing “sabungeros” or cockfight enthusiasts.
The warrant was issued by Judge Judge Pamela Torres Chavez-Izon of Lipa City RTC Branch 13 on six non-bailable charges of kidnapping with homicide, a violation under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
The issuance of the arrest order was confirmed on Friday, Jan. 16, by DOJ Spokesperson and Prosecution Attorney Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez.
Aside from Ang, also ordered arrested were Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa, Alfredo Uy Andes, Henry Samar Sasaluya, Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz, Angel Joseph Ferro Martin, Joey Natanauan Encarnacion, Aaron Exrah Lagahit Cabillan, Micahel Jaictin Claveria, Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio, Philip Simborio Almedilla, Arturo Opalla Dela Cruz Jr., Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, Anderson Orozco Abary, Edmon Hernandez Munoz, Rogelio Teodoso Borican Jr., Rodel Antipuesto Anig-ig, Mark Carlo Evangelista Zabala, Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum, Emman Cayunda Falle, and Julius Tagalog Gumolon.
In the arrest order, Judge Chavez-Izon directed law enforcers to “to bring him/her/them forthwith before me to be dealt with according to law.”
The judge also directed law enforcers “to use at least one body-worn camera and one alternative recording device, or a minimum of two devices, or such number as may be necessary to capture and record the relevant incidents in the execution of this warrant….”
A total of 26 criminal cases were filed against Ang and his co-accused. These were 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention, all in connection with the disappearance of the “sabungeros.”
The cases were filed by the DOJ before the RTCs in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City in Laguna, and the RTC in Lipa City.
The Sta. Cruz RTC was the first to issue an arrest order against Ang and his co-accused, also on non-bailable charges of kidnapping with homicide.
Ang has neither surrendered or been arrested despite the manhunt launched by law enforcement agencies.
The vital testimonies in the cases came from whistleblower Julie Patidongan who testified that the missing “sabungeros” were killed after being accused of cheating or, in the local dialect, “tyope,” and most of the bodies were dumped into the Taal Lake in Batangas.