Post by : Meena Ariff

A regional trial court in Batangas has ordered the arrest of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and several other individuals in connection with the long-running case involving the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts, widely known as sabungeros.

In an order dated January 15, the Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Lipa City directed law enforcement authorities to arrest Ang along with 20 other accused persons. The court found sufficient grounds to charge them with six counts of kidnapping with homicide, a serious criminal offense that carries no right to bail under existing laws.

The court stressed that the gravity of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and deaths of the victims warranted immediate arrest. The case has drawn widespread attention due to the number of missing individuals and the alleged links to illegal cockfighting operations.

Aside from Ang, the court ordered the arrest of the following individuals: Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa, Alfredo Uy Andes, Henry Samar Sasaluya, Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz, Angel Joseph Ferro Martin, Joey Natanauan Encarnacion also known as “Enca,” Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan, Michael Jaictin Claveria also known as “Mike Claveria,” Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio, Philip Simborio Almedilla, Arturo Opalla Dela Cruz Jr., Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, Anderson Orozco Abary, Edmon Hernandez Munoz, Rogelio Teodoso Borican Jr., Rodel Antipuesto Anig-Ig, Mark Carlo Evangelista Zabala, Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum, Emman Cayunda Falle, and Julios Tagalog Gumolon.

A day earlier, on January 14, the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna also issued arrest warrants against Ang and 17 others. In that case, the accused face charges of kidnapping with homicide as well as kidnapping and serious illegal detention. Court records show that the 17 individuals named in the Sta. Cruz case are also among those charged in the Lipa City proceedings.

Authorities confirmed that the 17 accused are currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, leaving Ang as the only suspect who has not yet been apprehended.

Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, said the defense intends to pursue all legal remedies available to his client. However, officials from the Department of Justice clarified that courts cannot act on any motions or requests from an accused who remains at large.

During a press briefing on January 15, prosecutors cited a Supreme Court ruling which states that a court can only grant judicial relief once the accused is under its jurisdiction. Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon explained that this requirement can only be met if the accused is arrested or voluntarily surrenders to authorities.

He emphasized that without being in custody, the court has no authority to act on any petitions or motions filed by the accused.

The charges are linked to the disappearance of several sabungeros over the past few years. Families of the missing victims reported that their relatives vanished after attending cockfighting events, often under suspicious circumstances. Investigators believe the victims were forcibly taken and later killed, leading prosecutors to pursue the more serious charge of kidnapping with homicide.

Law enforcement agencies are now intensifying efforts to locate Ang, while authorities continue preparing for trial proceedings against the accused already in custody. For the families of the missing sabungeros, the court’s action is seen as a significant step toward accountability after years of uncertainty and unanswered questions.

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