Families of the missing sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts along with whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan filed criminal complaints against alleged mastermind businessman tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang and other personalities before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday morning, August 1.
According to the report of RH Boy Gonzales, a relative of one of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts said that aside from Atong Ang, they also filed complaints against other individuals, including several police officers, for multiple counts of murder and serious illegal detention.
"Ang mga kinasuhan po namin syempre ‘yung aming talagang matagal ng hinala si Mr. Atong Ang kasama sila Erik Dela Rosa...at ang ibang mga pulis [at] Atty. Caroline, ito po yung mga kasama sa aming mga complaint," one of the complainants, Charlene Lasco, sister of one of the victims Ricardo 'Jun' Lasco confirmed with the media.
Lasco also added that the complainants are urging authorities to issue arrest warrants as soon as possible.
"Ang hiling namin sa kanila ay talagang masusing pag-aralan, imbestigahan para talagang magkaroon ng probable cause at para sa gayon magkaroon ng basis para maisyuhan na po sila ng warrant of arrest sa lalong madaling panahon," she pleaded.
Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, including members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), were also present at the DOJ, carrying folders of case documents. While PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III arrived at the DOJ shortly before noon to monitor the filing.
Patidongan also known as “Totoy,” will also have a meeting with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla.
Earlier, Patidongan surfaced to testify on the disappearances, accused Ang of being the mastermind of the case.
Asked about the status of the complaints, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon clarified that the DOJ is still in the process of evaluating the submissions.
“All details pertaining to the cases, how many will be charged, how many are being charged, who it is that is being charged, and the reasons why they are being complained of will only be disclosed once the cases have been arrived for preliminary investigation," Fadullon said.
“It would be unfair to any of those who may be implicated na, the case is still undergoing evaluation. Now we have to determine whether the evidence which has been submitted is already sufficient for it to go through preliminary," he noted.
In a press briefing, Remulla confirmed the development, citing direct statements from the families of the victims and the testimonies of key witnesses.
“Well, meron namang witnesses who testify to the fact that that person was involved in the commission of these crimes as the mastermind and as the head of a criminal organization. So basically, we take it from that,” Remulla emphasized.
The DOJ stressed that despite the serious nature of the charges, due process will be upheld for all respondents.
“Fair naman tayo eh. Hindi naman tayo, we do not condemn without listening. Ang mahalaga, due process, di ba? No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law,” the official emphasized.
Ang has denied the allegations, and his legal team claims he is being wrongly accused and had earlier filed multiple criminal complaints against Patidongan, accusing him of five offenses: attempted robbery with violence and intimidation, grave threats, grave coercion, incriminating innocent persons, and slander.
But DOJ officials rejected these claims as part of an apparent effort to confuse the narrative.
"Natural for them to concoct their stories. Gawain talaga naman 'yan ng mga abogado. Sabi ko nga, ang kalaban natin dito, the best lawyers, money can buy. Pero pera lang yan sa kanila," said Remulla.
The DOJ maintained that this is not just about solving a series of crimes—but about holding powerful people accountable.
“The Philippine justice system is on trial here. Kailangan dito talaga tibayan natin ang ating mga loob at hindi tayo magpapatinag,” the official concluded.
"Matagal ko na sinasabi sa mga pamilya to. Hindi ko bibitawan itong kasong to. Three years ago ito na sinabi ko sa kanila. Talagang dumating na talaga ang pagkakataon na mahinog na ang lahat para litisin ang kasong to," Remulla reiterated its commitment to bringing justice to the families of the victims.
The case stems from the mysterious disappearances of more than 30 men between 2021 and 2022, many of whom were last seen being taken by individuals in police-like uniforms.
In recent months, several government agencies—most notably the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have conducted search and retrieval operations for human remains allegedly dumped in Taal Lake in connection with the case of the missing sabungeros, which Patidongan, who had earlier alleged that the victims' bodies were disposed of in the area.
In July, skeletal remains were retrieved from Taal Lake, suspected to be linked to the missing sabungeros.
However, on Thursday, July 31, the PNP Forensic Group reported that no identifiable DNA profiles were found in the skeletal remains recovered from the lake.
