THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally indicted high-profile businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and 25 other individuals in connection to the disappearance and suspected deaths of several cockfighting enthusiasts, locally known as “sabungeros.”
In a statement, the DOJ said it found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to charge Ang and the following individuals with 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide:
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Jay Orapa
Rogelio Teodoso Borican Jr.
Rodelo Anig-ig
Jezrel Mahilum
Mark Carlo Zabala
Ronquillo Anding
Mark Carlo Zabala
Police Staff Master Sergeant Joey Natanauan Encarnacion
Police Executive Master Sergeant Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan
Police Master Sergeant (PMSG) Michael Jaictin Claveria
Police Senior Master Sergeant (PSMS) Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique
PSMS Anderson Orozco Abary
Police Staff Sergeant (PSSG) Edmon Hernandez Muñoz
PSSG Alfredo Uy Andres
Police Major Philip Almedilla
Police Lieutenant Henry Sasaluya
Police Chief Master Sergeant Arturo Dela Cruz
PSMS Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz
PSSG Alfredo Uy Andes
PSMS Joey Encarnacion
Police Corporal Angel Joseph Martin
Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum
Emman Cayunda Falle
Julious Tagalog Gumulon
PMSG Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio
The DOJ also recommended the filing of 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention against Ang, Orapa, Claveria, Anig-ig, Borican, Andres, Almedilla, Encarnacion, Cabillan and several still unidentified policemen.
“As to the other respondents, 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,” the justice department said.
The charges will be filed in Regional Trial Courts of Lipa City in Batangas, Sta. Cruz, Laguna, and San Pablo, Laguna.
The case concerns 34 cockfighting enthusiasts who vanished between 2021 and 2022, allegedly in connection with online cockfighting (e-sabong) operations.
Government prosecutors put weight to the statements of Ang’s former security chief Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, who claimed that the gaming tycoon was the mastermind behind their abduction and that bodies of many missing sabungeros were dumped into Taal Lake.
“The record shows that all orders to apprehend ‘cheating’ sabungeros emanated from Ang,” the resolution stated.
“His acts reveal not mere acquiescence but direct supervision of the scheme, using his farm and organization as the staging ground,” he added.
Ang earlier filed charges against his accusers but it was dismissed by the court. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)