The Department of Justice (DOJ) has made it clear that the criminal proceedings in the missing sabungeros case — involving the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts — will move forward even if gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang has not yet been arrested. Prosecutors say they have already prepared formal charges and that trial actions aren’t dependent on Ang’s immediate custody.
Ang is currently considered a “fugitive from justice” as law enforcement continues efforts to locate and serve him with arrest warrants issued by courts in Laguna and Batangas for kidnapping with homicide. Meanwhile, 17 other accused individuals linked to the case have been taken into custody.
The DOJ and prosecutors argue that the absence of one suspect should not stall legal momentum, citing established procedures that allow the case to proceed in court while law enforcement continues the manhunt and attempts to enforce the warrants.
- Justice doesn’t wait: Moving the case forward despite Ang being at large reinforces that the legal process isn’t held up by one individual’s evasion.
- Public pressure and accountability: Families of the missing sabungeros and civil society advocates have long pushed for accountability, and this step signals sustained prosecutorial effort.
- Law enforcement efforts are ongoing: Authorities have even offered rewards and are using hotlines and intelligence leads to locate Ang, underscoring the seriousness of the charges and urgency of his capture.