Rowegie Abanto

Family members of the missing sabungeros call for justice during a media conference in Quezon City on July 14, 2025. The group accuse business tycoon Charlie "Atong" Ang of being the mastermind behind the disappearance of the sabungeros, who may be the individuals whose remains were found submerged in Taal Lake. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Families of Missing Sabungeros call for Justice

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176534812706820250714-justice-missing-sabungeros-MD-10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Family members of the missing sabungeros call for justice during a media conference in Quezon City on July 14, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Family members of the missing sabungeros call for justice during a media conference in Quezon City on July 14, 2025. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants authorities to ensure that there will be sufficient evidence against those charged in the &quot;missing sabungeros&quot; case, Malacañang said on Wednesday.</p><p>The Palace gave the statement after the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed multiple kidnapping, homicide and serious illegal detention cases against businessman Charlie &quot;Atong&quot; Ang over the disappearance of missing cockfighting enthusiasts.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/9/doj-indicts-atong-ang-on-multiple-counts-of-kidnapping-1849">DOJ indicts Atong Ang on multiple counts of kidnapping</a></div><p>Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told Palace reporters that the president wants that any cases filed should be based on evidence.</p><p>&quot;Ayaw niya po nang agarang pag-iimbestiga tapos walang ebidensiya dahil kawawa naman din po ang mga inosenteng tao,” she said.</p><p>(He does not want a rushed investigation where evidence will be found lacking. That will also be a burden on the innocent)</p><p>She said that &quot;unlike other presidents&quot;, Marcos Jr. wants cases filed when they are ripe.</p><p>When asked how the Marcos Jr. administration can guarantee that Ang will not receive special treatment from the authorities, Castro said that is out of the executive branch&#x27;s hands.</p><p>&quot;So, special treatment for the court? We cannot say that, we cannot speculate on that,” she said.</p><p>The missing sabungeros cases underwent preliminary investigation after whistleblower Julie Patidongan tagged Ang as the mastermind and ordered that the victims be killed and buried in Taal Lake.</p><p>&quot;With this development, the Department of Justice prays that the courts exact justice on those who should be held accountable,&quot; the DOJ said.</p><p>DOJ Spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez said the information will be filed before three courts: the Regional Trial Courts in Lipa City, Batangas and in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo in Laguna.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C4oyjjWMsX8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants authorities to ensure that there will be sufficient evidence against those charged in the "missing sabungeros" case, Malacañang said on Wednesday.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants authorities to ensure that there will be sufficient evidence against those charged in the "missing sabungeros" case, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Marcos Jr. wants sufficient evidence vs Ang, other suspects in 'missing sabungeros' case: Palace

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Marcos Jr. wants sufficient evidence vs Ang, other suspects in 'missing sabungeros' case: Palace

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 10, 2025 03:14 PM PHT

Read More:

Atong Ang

Missing Sabungeros

Ferdinand Marcos Jr

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