DOJ ORDERS FILING OF MULTIPLE KIDNAPPING WITH HOMICIDE CHARGES VS ATONG ANG, 21 OTHERS OVER MISSING ‘SABUNGEROS’

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday ordered the filing of criminal charges against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and 21 others for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts.

According to the DOJ, a panel of prosecutors which conducted the preliminary investigation  of the complaints found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to charge Ang and his co-accused.

The DOJ said the charges for 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide will be filed before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Lipa City, RTC-Sta. Cruz, Laguna and RTC-San Pablo, Laguna.

Among Ang’s co-accused 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.

The DOJ said that Ang will also be charged with 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention along with Orapa, Claveria, Anig-ig, Borican, Almedilla, Encarnacion, and Cabillan.

Actress Gretchen Barretto, who was initially mentioned during the preliminary investigation stage, is not on the list.

“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 DOJ said.