ASEANEWS HEADLINE-COURTS & CRIME | MANILA: Manhunt on for Atong Ang; 17 arrested
Court issues warrants over ‘sabungeros’
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MANILA, Philippines — Ten police officers and seven civilians were arrested yesterday following the issuance of court warrants in connection with the disappearance of cockfighting aficionados, but accused mastermind Charlie “Atong” Ang eluded arrest.
A manhunt has been launched for Ang after Judge Mary Jean Cajandab-Ong of the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna issued the arrest warrants dated Jan. 13 for the gaming tycoon and 17 others for non-bailable cases of homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Arrested yesterday were police Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa; Executive M/Sgt. Aaron Cabillan; Senior M/Sgts. Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, Anderson Abary and Joey Encarnacion, alias Enca; M/Sgts. Michael Claveria, also known as Mike Claveria, and Renan Fulgencio; S/Sgts. Edmon Muñoz and Alfredo Andres and Cpl. Farvy de la Cruz.
Also arrested were Ang’s supposed subordinates Rogelio Borican Jr., Jezrel Mahilum, Mark Carlo Zabala, Rodelo Anig-ig, Emman Falle, Julios Gumolon and Ronquillo Pacot Anding.
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All 18 were charged with four counts of kidnapping with homicide under Article 267 in relation to Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), in connection with the alleged abduction, detention and eventual killing of at least four sabungeros in January 2022.
The victims were identified in the charge sheets as Melbert John Santos alias “Taba,” Mark Paul Fernandine alias “Mak-Mak,” Ferdinand Dizon alias “Kare” and Manny Magbanua alias “Atan.”
All 17 of Ang’s co-accused have been arrested, leaving only Ang at large, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) confirmed yesterday.
Meanwhile, in two separate warrants likewise dated Jan. 13 and issued by the Santa Cruz RTC Branch 26, the court also ordered the arrest of Ang, Orapa and Claveria for nine counts each of kidnapping and serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the RPC, while Borican, Anig-ig and Andres were ordered arrested for four counts each of the same alleged crime.
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Carrying out the arrest of Ang and his co-accused, the court reminded law enforcers to use at least one body-worn camera and one alternative recording device “to capture and record the relevant incidents in the execution of this warrant.”
Last Dec. 9, the Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors issued a resolution finding “prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction” to indict Ang for 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Also ordered charged were 21 other individuals, including several former police officers.
The cases stemmed from the disappearance of several cockfight enthusiasts in 2022. Investigation on the case appeared to be going nowhere, until whistleblower Julie “Don-Don” Patidongan came out to the media and later, to the DOJ early last year, testifying that Ang was the mastermind behind the disappearance and murder of over 100 cockfight enthusiasts.
Patidongan said sabungeros were killed through strangulation as they were accused of cheating in cockfight matches. He said the bodies were dumped in Taal Lake.
Patidongan is one of the six security guards of the cockpit Manila Arena, who were held as suspects for the disappearance of the sabungeros in 2022. Patidongan said threats to his family prompted him to come out in the open.
Ang Not abroad
According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Ang had no recent travel outside the country. The CIDG likewise believes that Ang is still in the Philippines.
“They (BI) haven’t passed us flight details that he exited the country, so we are hoping he is still here,” Col. John Guiagui, CIDG NCR director, said.
In a statement sent to reporters via Viber, DOJ spokesman Raphael Niccolo Martinez said that with the issuance of arrest warrants, the prosecution panel shall “forthwith” move for the issuance of Hold Departure Order to prevent Ang and his co-accused from leaving the country.
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Martinez said the DOJ is also anticipating the issuance of arrest warrants anytime soon against Ang and the other accused by the RTCs of Lipa City, Batangas and San Pablo, Laguna where they likewise have similar pending cases.
Property searched
CIDG operatives went to one of Ang’s properties in Pasig yesterday to serve the warrant, initially failing to gain entry despite repeated knocking.
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. earlier confirmed during a Palace briefing that teams were dispatched to various locations to serve arrest warrants against Ang and his co-accused.
A lawyer who identified herself as Ang’s counsel later faced CIDG operatives and after discussion, allowed police to enter the compound to check whether Ang was inside the property. Four CIDG personnel, wearing body cameras, and a barangay official were allowed inside the property. Members of the media were denied entry.
The CIDG did not find Ang inside the property.
“We searched all possible hiding places, from the basement up to the highest floor, including the rooftop,” Guiagui told reporters.
The CIDG said the Pasig property showed indications that it belonged to Ang and noted the presence of more than 10 security personnel inside during the operation.
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Guiagui stressed that the operation would not stop with the Pasig property.
“We have no timeline. Every minute, every hour, every day, we will continue until all persons named in the warrant are accounted for,” he said.
The CIDG NCR chief also confirmed that simultaneous operations were carried out in other areas, including Mandaluyong and parts of Region 4, but declined to disclose specific locations.
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CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said all 17 of Ang’s co-accused are already in police custody, including nine police officers previously placed under restrictive custody.
Seven others are civilians apprehended by police tracker teams in Calabarzon, particularly in Batangas and Laguna.
Morico said another co-accused, a dismissed cop, surrendered to the CIDG yesterday.
According to Malacañang, President Marcos wants a swift delivery of justice for the missing sabungeros.
“That has been their mandate, the PNP and law enforcement agencies, they know that. The directive of the President is to implement what is in the law,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a briefing.
“If the warrant of arrest is already there, the work should be fast-tracked so those who are accountable will be held to account,” she added.
‘Premature and legally questionable’
Meanwhile, in a press statement yesterday, Ang’s legal counsel Gabriel Villareal assailed the issuance of the arrest warrant against his client, describing it as “premature” and “legally questionable.”
“Clearly, the court merely acted on the incomplete and one-sided information provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in its determination of probable cause, without having even seen the counter affidavits and exculpatory evidence of the respondents, including that of Mr. Ang,” he said.
Villareal said their camp will “exhaust all available legal remedies to give Ang the opportunity to challenge the arrest order.”
Villareal also reiterated their camp’s earlier contention that no physical evidence has been presented by the DOJ to link Ang to the case and that only Patidongan’s testimony was used in pinning culpability.
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“This case was built on haste, and from the beginning and the intent, to use our client as a diversion has now become apparent,” he said.
Justice at hand
The group of families of the missing sabungeros welcomed the issuance of warrants of arrest against Ang and his co-accused, saying it marked a significant development in their quest for justice.
In a statement, the group credited the emergence of star witness Julie Patidongan and his two siblings for helping to shed light on the circumstances of the disappearances.
“Although not everyone linked to the case was covered by a warrant, we believe that no one can escape the law of man and the justice of God,” the group said.
“Justice may be delayed, but it can never be denied,” the group added.
Charlene Lasco, sister of missing sabong agent Ricardo Lasco, said she and other victims’ relatives have not given up hope that Ang and the others will be held accountable.
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“We strived and we perse- vered in order to achieve this justice,” she told reporters in a phone interview, express- ing thanks for the continuing media coverage of the case. – Emmanuel Tupas, Mark Ernest Villeza, Evelyn Macairan, Alexis Romero
