Atong Ang, cops, indicted over missing sabungeros
[Updated Dec. 9, 2025, 8:31 p.m.]
MANILA, Philippines – Government prosecutors have indicted businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and 21 others for the death of several sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts).
In a press statement issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ), it stated that Ang is facing 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.
READ: Families of missing ‘sabungeros’: Resolve cases vs Atong Ang, 60 others
For kidnapping with homicide, Ang has over 21 co-accused, including 15 policemen, while for kidnapping with serious illegal detention, Ang has nine co-accused, plus several John and Jane Does.
Aside from Ang, the following will face a case of kidnapping with homicide:
- Police Lieutenant Col. Ryan Jay Orapa
- Rogelio Borican Jr.
- Rodelio Anig-ig
- Jezrel Mahilum
- Mark Zabala
- Ronquillo Anding
- Police Senior Master Sergeant (PSMS) Joey Encarnacion
- Police Executive Master Sergeant Aaron Cabillan
- Police Master Sergeant (PMSg) Michael Claveria
- PSMS Mark Anthony Manrique
- PSMS Anderson Abary
- Police Staff Sergeant (PSSG) Edmon Munoz
- PSSG Alfredo Andres
- Police Major Philip Almedilla
- Police Lieutenant Henry Sasaluya
- Police Chief Master Sergeant Arturo dela Cruz
- PSMS Farvy dela Cruz
- Police Corporal Angel Martin
- Emman Falle
- Julious Gumulon
- PMSg Renan Fulgencio
For kidnapping with serious illegal detention, Ang’s co-accused are the following: Orapa, Claveria, Anig-ig, Borican, Andres, Almedilla, Encarnacion, Cabillan and several John Does who have yet to be identified.
A total of 26 Information (charge sheet) shall be filed in three courts.
Atty. Polo Martinez, DOJ spokesperson, said the cases will be filed in three different courts — the Regional Trial Courts of Lipa City in Batangas, Sta. Cruz, Laguna, and San Pablo, Laguna.
Key findings from the resolution
The 120-page resolution, detailed the basis for the indictment, particularly citing the testimonies of the Patidongan brothers Julie and Ellakim, who were close-in security for Ang.
The resolution stated that it was firmly established that Ang, also known as “Boss AA,” exercised command responsibility and active inducement over the abduction operations.
“The record shows that all orders to apprehend ‘cheating’ sabungeros emanated from Ang,” the resolution stated.
Julie Patidongan said in his testimony that before any action was taken, he would first report to Ang, who would then give instructions on whether the sabungero would be turned over to their co-accused policemen.
“His acts reveal not mere acquiescence but direct supervision of the scheme, using his farm and organization as the staging ground,” the resolution stated.
As for the other co-accused, the resolution took note of the “consistent pattern of involvement by certain Philippine National Police (PNP) members.“
On the other hand, the resolution stated Ellakim Patidongan’s eye witness account about bringing blindfolded victims to Taal Lake near a fish cage.
He said the victims were strangled and loaded onto a boat with sacks and sand.
“Ellakim also declared that as the boat carrying the bodies of the sabungeros was sailing away, he even saw the boatmen further stabbing the hapless victims,“ the resolution stated.
The civilian collaborators were identified as the ones subduing, tying, interrogating, and loading the victims onto the boat.
Meanwhile, Ang’s lawyer, Atty. Gabriel Villareal said: “The ruling, while likely given the bias apparent from DOJ conduct, suffers from clear factual gaps and substantial inconsistencies.”
He said the panel relied heavily on the “flawed testimony of a lone witness whose integrity is irreversibly compromised,” referring to Julie Patidongan.
“It is unfortunate that the DOJ has been taken for a ride by a dubious witness masquerading as a crusader, out to pin the blame on my client to save his hide,” he added. /jpv /mr/cb
