Post by : Mina Rahman
In Batangas, a regional trial court has mandated the arrest of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang along with several others related to the significant case of missing cockfighting enthusiasts, known as sabungeros.
On January 15, the Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Lipa City instructed law enforcement to apprehend Ang and 20 other individuals. The court established enough grounds to bring six counts of kidnapping with homicide against them—a grave offense that deprives the accused of bail based on current legal standards.
The seriousness of the claims and the details surrounding the victims’ disappearances warranted swift action, the court noted. This case has garnered considerable public interest due to the high number of missing persons and suspected links to illicit cockfighting activities.
In addition to Ang, the court ordered the arrest of individuals including Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa, Alfredo Uy Andes, among others. A total of 20 names were cited.
On the preceding day, January 14, the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna also issued warrants for Ang and 17 other suspects, charging them with kidnapping with homicide, as well as serious illegal detention. Notably, the same individuals involved in the Sta. Cruz case are also named in the Lipa City proceedings.
Currently, authorities confirmed that the 17 suspects are in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, while Ang remains at large.
Ang’s attorney, Gabriel Villareal, has indicated that the defense aims to leverage all legal avenues for his client. However, officials from the Department of Justice have noted that courts cannot address any petitions from an accused person who is not in custody.
During a news conference on January 15, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon pointed out a Supreme Court ruling stipulating that judicial relief can only be granted when an accused is within court jurisdiction, achievable only when arrested or voluntarily presents themselves.
He reiterated that without custody, the court’s ability to hear any requests or filings from the accused remains suspended.
These charges relate to the mysterious disappearances of multiple sabungeros in recent years, with families of the victims stating that their loved ones disappeared following cockfighting events under dubious circumstances. Investigators suspect that the victims were abducted and subsequently killed, prompting the pursuit of the serious kidnapping with homicide charges.
Law enforcement is now amplifying efforts to locate Ang while continuing preparations for trial proceedings against those already detained. For the families of the missing sabungeros, the court's ruling marks a vital step toward justice and closure following years of uncertainty.
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