Atong Ang faces Senate probe over missing ‘sabungeros’

Businessman Charlie “Atong” Tiu Hay Ang attends the hybrid hearing of the Senate public order committee on Friday, Mar. 4, 2022. (Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Gaming operator Charlie “Atong” Ang on Friday appeared before the Senate public order panel as it continues to investigate the disappearance of more than 30 cockfight enthusiasts.

Ang’s e-sabong firm, Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., operates three arenas where some of the missing “sabungeros” were allegedly last seen.

His appearance in Friday’s hearing comes after his name surfaced during the first hearing last Thursday, Feb. 24.

A sister of one of the missing persons cited a video where the businessman was seen “warning” what he called as “double agents” in his employ who are allegedly stealing videos from his e-sabong firm and posting these on a copied website to solicit bets illegally.

But lawyer Angelo Niño Santos, president of Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., denied during the hearing that the company resorts to any “illegal activities” in dealing with errant personnel. Santos said Ang’s video was only a reminder and “not a threat.”

The Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee launched its investigation into the eight cases of disappearance involving 34 persons allegedly involved in game fixing and cloning from April 2021 to January this year.

After the hearing last week, a resolution, signed by 23 senators, was issued to call for the suspension of  e-sabong or online cockfighting operations in the country.

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