Businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang filed multiple criminal complaints on Thursday, July 3, against Julie “Dondon” Patidongan alias “Totoy,” who accused him of being the mastermind behind the abduction of “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts) between April 2021 and January 2022.
Ang, accompanied by his legal counsel, Atty. Lorna Kapunan, lodged formal charges before Mandaluyong City Prosecutor Arthur Magpantay against Patidongan and Alan Bantiles alias “Brown.”
The complaints include attempted robbery with violence and intimidation, grave threat, grave coercion, incrimination against innocent persons, and slander.
The gaming tycoon said the accusations have tarnished his dignity and reputation, causing anxiety and stress to his family.
“The accusations against Atong Ang are entirely false, baseless, and malicious. He categorically and unequivocally denies any involvement in the alleged unlawful, heinous, and criminal acts that have recently been reported and linked to him. In fact, he has been cooperative with the authorities since the commencement of the investigation to clear his name and continues to trust that a thorough, impartial, and objective investigation will ultimately reveal the truth and exonerate him from these unfounded allegations,” Ang’s camp said.
They also urged the public and the media to refrain from spreading misinformation or drawing conclusions without evidence.
“The right to due process must be preserved, and trial by publicity must be avoided,” Ang’s camp added.
The complaints came in response to Patidongan’s televised interview, in which he linked Ang and other public figures to the disappearance of the sabungeros from various cockfight arenas and their homes in Manila, Laguna, Batangas, and Bulacan.
Patidongan claimed the victims had been killed and buried in Taal Lake in Batangas. (Patrick Garcia)
