The Department of Justice says tycoon Atong Ang could still be named a respondent in the 'missing sabungeros' case linked to the Manila Arena. This depends on a new preliminary investigation to confirm evidence against him. The DOJ plans further probes into the disappearance of the cockfight enthusiasts.
On Thursday, December 11, the Department of Justice (DOJ) held a press conference where Prosecutor General Anthony Fadullon stated that tycoon Atong Ang could still be included in the case of the missing sabungeros. Fadullon explained that a preliminary investigation is needed to determine if there is sufficient evidence against him. "He [Ang] can still be included there. However, there needs to be a preliminary investigation first, and we need to determine that there is indeed evidence concerning him that will serve as the basis for his inclusion in that case," Fadullon said.
The case, filed in a Manila court, involves charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention related to the disappearance of six cockfight enthusiasts: John Claude Inonog, James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, and Rowel Gomez. Among the respondents is self-proclaimed whistleblower Julie Patidongan, whose brother Elakim Patidongan is also in the witness protection program. They are connected to the charges against Atong Ang and several police officers.
Meanwhile, actress Gretchen Barretto was dropped as a respondent due to insufficient evidence. On December 9, the DOJ recommended filing kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention charges against Atong Ang and others. Ang's lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, called the indictment 'flawed and unfair.' Fadullon declined to speculate on potential outcomes of the investigation.
