Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

Murder and other complaints vs. Ang, Barretto over missing sabugeros case submitted for resolution

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

MANILA —  Families of missing sabungeros expressed hope that the murder and other complaints against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto and others will be filed in court after the Department of Justice prosecution panel held its last day of preliminary investigation Tuesday.“Ang laki po ng pag-asa namin na makakamit namin ang hustisya pagdating po sa resolusyon, sana pumabor sa amin, magkaroon na ng warrant,” said Ryan Bautista, brother of Michael Bautista.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/20/mandaluyong-city-prosecutor-dismisses-atong-ang-s-complaints-vs-julie-patidongan-1547">Mandaluyong city prosecutor dismisses Atong Ang&#x27;s complaints vs. Julie Patidongan</a></div>Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit said 57 out of 62 respondents submitted their counter-affidavits and the complainants, families of the victims as well as the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, will no longer file a reply.“The panel will try to resolve the case as soon as possible, within the period provided by the rules, so right now wala pang specific date when we are going to issue a resolution,” Guhit said.Guhit assured that the panel will resolve the complaints and will be fair to both complainants and respondents.“There are USBs submitted in support of the counter-affidavits, we have not reviewed it but rest assured, when we resolve the case we will review everything, just to be fair to the parties,” Guhit said.Ang’s lawyer, Atty. Gabriel Villareal, reiterated that they are hoping the complaints will be dismissed and will be reinvestigated by the PNP-CIDG.“We are hopeful that the cases will be rebounded back to the CIDG, in view of the fact that the evidences submitted do not have enough credibility enough to establish what is called the quantum of evidence for a prima facie case with enough evidence to have a, outcome of guilty verdict,” Villareal said.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/19/atong-ang-gretchen-barretto-patidongan-deny-links-to-alleged-bribe-try-1252">Ang, Barretto, Patidongan deny links to alleged bribe attempt</a></div>Whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who is also a respondent to the complaints, also expressed hopes for a favorable resolution from the DOJ panel.“Alam naman talaga natin ang lahat kung sino ang mastermind dito, iyon lang,” Patidongan said.“Alam naman nila na hindi ako basta-basta lulutang ng ganito, within 16 years ako kay Mr. Atong Ang, kung wala akong pinanghahawakan laban sa  kanya,” Patidongan added.Ang and Barretto had earlier denied involvement in the missing sabungeros case.Meanwhile, DOJ Spokesperson Polo Martinez reported that a total of 887 human bones have so far been recovered in Taal Lake and nearby areas.DNA testing continues to determine if the bones are from the missing sabungeros.&quot;If the evidence as it stands warrants a finding na may prima facie evidence to proceed to trial, hindi na natin kailangang intayin ang DNA evidence,&quot; Martinez said.

Families of missing sabungeros expressed hope that the murder and other complaints against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto and others will be filed in court after the Department of Justice prosecution panel held its last day of preliminary investigation Tuesday.

Families of missing sabungeros expressed hope that the murder and other complaints against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto and others will be filed in court after the Department of Justice prosecution panel held its last day of preliminary investigation Tuesday.