Ang, 21 others charged in ‘sabungeros’ case
Businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and 21 others have been formally charged with 26 counts of kidnapping over their alleged involvement in the case of the missing “sabungeros” or cockfighting aficionados, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Monday.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez told reporters in a message that the cases against Ang and his coaccused, including several police officers, were filed on Friday, Dec. 19.
“Under the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure, the courts wherein the Informations are filed will issue the corresponding warrants of arrest upon [their] determination of the existence of probable cause based on the evidence submitted and the resolution by the panel of prosecutors,” he said.
Martinez added that the charges were filed in three different regional trial courts in Lipa City, Batangas, and in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo, both in Laguna.
On Dec. 9, the DOJ recommended the filing of charges against Ang and his coaccused. This was after its panel of prosecutors found prima facie evidence with a reasonable certainty of conviction to indict the businessman and 21 others on 26 counts of kidnapping in connection with the missing sabungeros.
Ang and all 21 respondents face 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide, while the businessman and some of the respondents were also charged with 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.
Basis for indictment
The recommendation was based on the sworn confessions of whistleblowers Julie “Dondon” Patidongan and his brothers, which the prosecutors said “firmly established” that Ang “exercised command responsibility and active inducement over the abduction operations.”
According to Patidongan, the sabungeros were abducted and strangled while their bodies were dumped in Taal Lake by a group of policemen, supposedly upon the orders of his former boss, Ang.
His brothers, Ellakim and Jose, corroborated his testimony. Ellakim, who also worked for Ang, said he witnessed some of the killings, while Jose, as one of Patidongan’s security staff, said he saw one of the victims being abducted by the police.
All orders from Ang
Prosecutors also noted that records showed that all orders to apprehend the “cheating” sabungeros came from Ang.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, on the other hand, also announced on Monday that the arrest warrant for Ang could be issued “anytime now.”
Remulla said this in an interview on ANC, when asked if he had information that a warrant against the businessman was forthcoming.
“It’s supposed to be anytime now. We’re just waiting for the judge to fully appreciate the facts of the case. And I think it’ll be anytime now,” he replied.
When asked if Ang can be jailed before Christmas, Remulla said, “Hopefully. Hopefully, yes.”
According to Remulla, the cases against Ang are all nonbailable.
“It’s nonbailable because it’s murder. For him, it’s kidnapping, forced disappearance, and it’s like that. But all his cases are nonbailable,” he said.
Still in the country
The DILG chief added that based on their records, Ang is still in the Philippines.
He also stood by his recent statement that they consider Ang “armed” and “dangerous”—a remark the businessman’s legal counsel earlier described as “reckless” and “irresponsible.”
“Talk to the hundred-plus missing sabungeros’ families. If someone is accused of killing 100, over 100 people, don’t you, by normal happenstance, just think that he is armed and dangerous? How can I be reckless? He’s a fool to call me reckless,” Remulla said.
“When you arrest someone who you know or has a record of making forced disappearances, who travels around with three cars and 15 bodyguards at the minimum, all heavily armed, then you must consider him armed and dangerous. You must consider the possibility that they will put up a fight,” he pointed out.
