Lipa court also issues arrest order vs Atong, 20 others
A second court, this time in Batangas, ordered the arrest of gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang and 20 others in connection with the disappearance and death of 26 “sabungeros” (cockfighting aficionados) between 2021 and 2022.
Judge Pamela Chavez-Izon of Lipa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 13 issued the arrest warrant against Ang, 14 police officers and six civilians who are facing charges for six counts of kidnapping with homicide.
The latest arrest order dated Jan. 15 followed those issued two days earlier by another court, the Sta Cruz RTC in Laguna province, where Ang and 17 others face the same charges, plus serious illegal detention.
4 policemen added
The Lipa City RTC order covers the same targets named in the Sta. Cruz court warrant, with the addition of four police officers. These are Police Major Philip Almedilla, Police Chief Master Sgt. Arturo dela Cruz, Police Corp. Angel Martin and Police Lt. Henry Sasaluya.
The rest of the police officers ordered arrested are Police Lt. Col. Ryan Orapa, Police Executive Master Sgt. Aaron Cabillan, Police Senior Master Sgt. Mark Anthony Manrique, Police Senior Master Sgt. Anderson Abary, Police Master Sgt. Michael Claveria, Police Staff Sgt. Edmon Muñoz, Police Senior Master Sgt. Farvy dela Cruz, Police Master Sgt. Renan Fulgencio, Police Staff Sgt. Alfredo Andes, and Police Senior Master Sgt. Joey Encarnacion.
The coaccused civilians, aside from Ang, are Rogelio Borican Jr., Jezrel Mahilum, Mark Carlo Zabala, Rodelo Anig-ig, Emman Falle and Julios Gumolon.
The warrants stemmed from the charges filed by the Department of Justice in three RTCs—in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo in Laguna, and Lipa City in Batangas.
The cases account for 26 sabungeros who were allegedly abducted and killed on Ang’s orders for engaging in game fixing.
Gabriel Villafuerte, Ang’s lawyer, said he had advised his client to defer any plans of surrendering until all available legal remedies are exhausted.
“Right now, he has a lot of judicial remedies left at his disposal. He shouldn’t be pursued like a criminal. He is not on trial,” he said in an interview on dzMM on Friday.
On Thursday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government offered a P10-million reward for Ang’s capture, while the Philippine National Police revoked six gun permits issued to the businessman.
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