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December 10, 2025 | 3:43pm
Businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang, accompanied by his lawyer Lorna Kapunan, files criminal charges before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office on Thursday, July 3, 2025 against Julie "Dondon" Patidongan and Alan Bantiles for accusations related to the case of "missing sabungeros."
The STAR / Michael Varcas
MANILA, Philippines — The defense counsel for tycoon Atong Ang condemned the Department of Justice (DOJ) resolution to formally charge his client in court in connection with the disappearance of the missing sabungeros.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 9, Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, called the DOJ’s indictment “deeply flawed and grossly unfair to the accused.”
“The ruling, while likely given the bias apparent from DOJ conduct, suffers from clear factual gaps and substantial inconsistencies. Clearly the panel relied heavily on the flawed testimony of a lone witness whose integrity is irreversibly compromised," Villareal said.
"It is unfortunate that the DOJ has been taken for a ride by a dubious witness masquerading as a crusader, out to pin the blame on my client to save his hide," he added.
Villareal also said that Ang’s camp is likely to file a motion for reconsideration, urging the DOJ to reverse its decision to indict Ang.
He also questioned the DOJ panel’s charging, saying that the agency chose not to recommend the filing of cases against the majority of individuals originally implicated.
He argued that this fact alone "is, by itself, glaring proof of the spurious nature” of the account of self-proclaimed witness Julie Patidongan.
“We are confident that we will debunk all malicious and fabricated claims made by Patidongan at the opportune time. He is the architect of this gruesome crime, no other,” he said.
“It is rather anomalous that the Patidongan brothers were not charged in the case despite clear evidence of their participation in the alleged abduction and disappearance of certain cockfighting enthusiasts,” he added.
On December 10, the DOJ indicted Ang and 21 other individuals for kidnapping with homicide.
Prosecutors also found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict Ang and 15 others for kidnapping with serious illegal detention.
A total of 26 criminal informations will be filed before the Regional Trial Courts in Lipa City, Batangas, Sta. Cruz, Laguna, and San Pablo, Laguna, according to DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez.
Meanwhile, actress Gretchen Barretto, whom Patidongan implicated in the case, was not included among the indicted individuals.
In a statement, Barretto’s lawyer, Alma Mallonga, said that the actress played no part in the case of the missing cockfight enthusiasts.
“She played no part in the case of the missing sabungeros. Thankfully, the Department of Justice agreed, ruling that the accusations were based on speculation and uncorroborated, and thus dismissed the complaint against her for lack of merit.
“Ms. Barretto is grateful to all those who expressed their support and who stood by her throughout her ordeal,” she added.
