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MANILA, Philippines — Another arrest warrant has been issued against gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, and 20 other people, for a non-bailable case of kidnapping with homicide in connection with the disappearance of over 100 cockfight aficionados or sabungeros.
The warrant, dated Jan. 15, was issued by the Lipa City, Batangas Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 13 for six counts of kidnapping with homicide under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code.
Apart from Ang – whose alias is “Bos AA” – ordered arrested are his supposed subordinates Rogelio Borican Jr., Jezrel Mahilum, Mark Carlo Zabala, Rodelo Anig-ig, Emman Falle and Julios Gumolon.
Also ordered arrested are police officers Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa, Lt. Henry Sasaluya; Maj. Philip Almedilla; Executive Master Sergeant Aaron Cabillan; Senior Master Sergeants Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, Anderson Abary, Farvy dela Cruz and Joey Encarnacion; Chief M/Sgt. Arturo dela Cruz Jr.; M/Sgts. Michael Claveria and Renan Fulgencio; Staff Sgts. Edmon Muñoz and Alfredo Andres, and Cpl. Angel Joseph Martin.
In carrying out the arrest of the accused, Lipa City RTC Branch 13 Judge Pamela Chavez-Izon directed “any officer of the law” 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.”
Eleven of the police officers – Orapa, Almedilla, Cabillan, Manrique, Abary, Encarnacion, Dela Cruz, Fulgencio, Muñoz, Andres and Martin – have been dismissed from the service by the National Police Commission over their alleged involvement, Napolcom vice chairman and commissioner Rafael Calinisan said yesterday.
Calinisan also announced that Napolcom had recommended to Malacañang the dismissal of former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Macapaz, a third-level officer whose dismissal requires presidential approval, was administratively charged by Elakim Patidongan, brother of whistleblower Julie Patidongan, over the alleged unlawful seizure of their cellphones, SIM cards and memory cards during their repatriation from Cambodia.
Previous warrants
Last Wednesday, the Santa Cruz, Laguna RTC Branch 26 released arrest warrants against Ang and 17 other persons for cases of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention over the disappearance of the sabungeros.
All 17 of Ang’s co-accused in the cases before the Santa Cruz RTC were already arrested as of Wednesday.
A total of 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide, and 16 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, were filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors in December last year against Ang and several persons before the RTCs of Santa Cruz, Lipa City, Batangas and San Pablo, Laguna in connection with the alleged abduction and killing of the sabungeros.
As of yesterday, only the RTC of San Pablo has yet to issue any arrest order against the accused.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the agency is offering a P10-million reward to anyone who can offer information that can lead to Ang’s arrest.
Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, in a press briefing on Thursday, said the DOJ is confident that Ang is still in the country.
The cases against Ang and his co-accused stemmed from the disappearance of several sabungeros in 2022.
The investigation appeared to be going nowhere, until whistleblower Patidongan came out in the media, and later, at the DOJ early last year, testifying that Ang was the mastermind behind the disappearance and murder of over 100 sabungeros.
Patidongan said the sabungeros were accused of cheating in cockfight games and were killed through strangulation, with their bodies dumped in Taal Lake.
Patidongan is one of six security guards of the cockpit Manila Arena, who were held as suspects for the disappearance of the sabungeros in 2022. He said threats to his family prompted him to come out and tell all.
‘Reliable leads’
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it now has “reliable leads” on the whereabouts of Ang.
Palmer Mallari, NBI spokesman, said authorities have obtained credible information as part of the ongoing manhunt, but declined to disclose details to avoid compromising operations.
Authorities believe Ang is still in the Philippines.
“There are no records that he has left the country. So, from all indications, he’s still here,” prosecutor general Richard Fadullon said in an interview with “Storycon” on One News yesterday.
“Up until we receive information that he has fled and has moved to another country, that’s the only time that we will take that course of action,” Fadullon said, referring to a request for a red notice from the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol.
He urged the businessman to surrender and face the charges.
“The best way is to fight it out in court and present the evidence there, so that once and for all, the courts can decide if there are really enough evidence against them,” Fadullon said.
‘Don’t help Ang’
The Philippine National Police warned the businessman’s friends and associates against planning to assist him in evading arrest.
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. yesterday said tracker and intelligence teams are monitoring backdoor exits to prevent Ang from leaving the country.
With Ang’s vast wealth and resources at his disposal, Nartatez said they expect the gaming tycoon to utilize all his connections to avoid arrest.
Apart from those sheltering Ang, Nartatez said people giving false information to mislead operations will face criminal charges.
Lawyer tells Ang: Don’t surrender yet
Gabriel Villareal, Ang’s lead counsel, told his client not to surrender to the authorities while they are exploring all legal remedies in connection with the criminal cases against him.
Villareal also warned Ang against turning himself over to the authorities, after the government put up a P10-million reward for his arrest.
“Why would he (Ang) bother surrendering, when they (government) are making it look like he is armed and dangerous with a bounty over his head?” the lawyer said in Filipino in an interview over dzMM Teleradyo.
Villareal said Remulla’s “reckless” statement could embolden police officers to kill Ang, and make it appear he fought back, referencing to the extrajudicial killings during the bloody anti-drug campaign of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The CIDG has released a wanted poster with corresponding hotlines, where people with information about Ang’s whereabouts can get in touch with the authorities. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Emmanuel Tupas, Janvic Mateo
