Atong Ang names personalities in ‘conspiracy’ to pin him over missing ‘sabungeros’

MANILA, Philippines — Gaming consultant Atong Ang on Friday assailing what he called a “conspiracy” against him and his online sabong business over the disappearance of over 30 cockfight enthusiasts, and even tagging several personalities, including a former national police chief.

Ang owns the Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., which operates three arenas where some of the missing individuals were allegedly last seen.

During the hybrid hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, the businessman decried the “guilty verdict” that the committee seemed to have already meted out on him and his e-sabong firm, when there were other licensees in the field.

“Parang ang Lucky 8, parang inano nyo na na guilty e. Trial by publicity. Papatunayan ko sainyo na may conspiracy dito. Wala kaming kinalaman diyan, patutunayan ko sainyo ang conspiracy,” he told the senators.

“Kasi 90 percent sa income ng sabong sa operation, 90 to 95 kami yun, dahil members ko lahat ng big-time sabungero kasi legit talaga na maayos lahat ‘to,” he added.

Ang was pressed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon to publicly name these licensees who he claimed to be involved in a conspiracy against him.

“Anim kami na magkakakilala rito. Number 1, ako. Number 2, Bong Pineda. Number 3, Cong. Teves, number 4, di ko kilala mga kumpanya nila eh, kay ex-congressman Patrick Antonio. Number 5 kina Mayor Elan. Number 6, kina Gen. Cascolan, class ’86,” Ang said during the hearing.

Ang is apparently referring to former Philippine National Police chief Camilo Cascolan. INQUIRER.net has reached out to Cascolan and the others named by Ang for comment, but has yet to receive a response as of writing.

Ang then went on to lament that his e-sabong firm, Lucky 8, is being condemned for the disappearance of the cockfight enthusiasts, which he maintained he has nothing to do with.

“Kukumpletuhin ko ‘to, yung kwentong ‘to para makita niyo yung conspiracy kung bakit, sino ang mga involved dito. ‘Wag po kami i-condemn na guilty kami diyan sa mga nawawala,” he said.

When asked to detail the alleged “conspiracy” against him, the businessman requested to talk to senators in an executive session.

Senate committee chairman Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa granted Ang’s request.

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, denied that his committee was singling out Ang’s e-sabong company.

“For the record, this committee is not condemning you for the disappearance of the 34 people,” the senator said.

The Senate public order committee is resuming its investigation into the disappearance of 34 persons allegedly involved in game fixing and cloning from April 2021 to January this year.

Ang’s appearance during Friday’s hearing comes after his name was brought up 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” under his employ who were 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, had denied then 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.”

EDV