A third arrest warrant has been issued against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and his co-accused in connection with the disappearance of sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts).
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday, Feb. 12, that the order was released by Branch 29 of the San Pablo City Regional Trial Court.
“The clerk of court of Branch 29 of RTC San Pablo City has confirmed that a warrant in the Atong Ang case has been issued,” DOJ spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez told journalists.
Last month, RTC Branch 26 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, and RTC Branch 13 in Lipa City, Batangas issued arrest warrants against Ang and his co-accused.
Ang has remained at large despite the arrest orders.
Local Government Secretary Jovic Remulla had earlier floated the possibility that Ang could be in Cambodia.
The Cambodian Foreign Ministry, however, said that the fugitive is not in Cambodia.
DOJ Acting Secretary Frederick Vida said that Bureau of Immigration (BI) records show that Ang is still in the Philippines.
A total of 26 criminal charge sheets were filed against Ang — 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.
His co-accused in the kidnapping with homicide charges were Police Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa, Rogelio Tedoso Borican Jr., Rodelo Anig-ig, Mark Carlo Zabala, Ronquillo Anding, Police Senior Master Sergeant (PSMS) Joey Natanauan Encarnacion, Police Executive Master Sergeant (PEMS) Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan, Police Master Sergeant (PMSG) Michael Jaictin Claveria, PSMS Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, PSMS Anderson Orozco Abary, Police Staff Sergeant (PSSG) Edmon Hernandez Munoz, PSSG Alfredo Uy Andres, Police Maj. Philip Almedilla, Police Lt. Henry Sasaluya, Police Chief Master Sergeant (PCMS) Arturo Dela Cruz, PSMS Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz, Police Cpl. Angel Joseph Martin, Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum, Emman Cauda Falle, Julious Tagalog Gumulon, and PMSG Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio.
Co-accused in the kidnapping with serious illegal detention were Oraga, Claveria, Anig-ig, Borican, Almedilla, Encarnacion, and Cabillan.
Whistleblower Julie Patidongan alleged that the missing “sabungeros” were abducted and killed after being accused of cheating or, in the local dialect, “tyope.” (Jeffrey Damicog)
