Jamaine Punzalan

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

Jessie Cruzat

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175747756320620250714-justice-missing-sabungeros-MD-10.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>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 &quot;Atong&quot; 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</div>MANILA — The Department of Justice on Wednesday said it issued subpoenas for businessman Atong Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto, and about 60 others in relation to its preliminary investigation into the disappearance of dozens of sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts.Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon told ABS-CBN News that authorities began serving the subpoenas on Tuesday, September 9 and were continuing the process on Wednesday.“Subpoenas have been issued from the preliminary report given by the National Prosecution Services as against the 59 or 60 respondents of the missing sabungeros. Dahil po marami ‘yan sila and we usually serve that personally, that service is still ongoing,” said DOJ Spokesperson Asec. Mico Clavano.“Ang goal po natin is to have everyone served their subpoenas by today. So, we can expect all 59 or 60 of the respondents would have been able to receive their subpoenas yesterday or today,” he said in a public briefing.Those subpoenaed included former Metro Manila police chief Gen. Jonnel Estomo and around 18 police officers.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/15/retired-cop-denies-alleged-involvement-in-missing-sabungeros-case-1459">Retired police general denies involvement in missing sabungeros case, prepares legal action vs whistleblower</a></div>The subpoenas are part of the preliminary investigation into complaints of multiple murder, kidnapping with serious illegal detention, and other related charges.The DOJ has yet to confirm the schedule of the first hearing.Fadullon said respondents would be given a chance to file their counter affidavit.Ang, Barretto, and Estomo previously denied involvement in the disappearance of the sabungeros.<div> </div><div>&#x27;TRUTH WILL OUT&#x27; </div>Ang&#x27;s lawyer Gabriel Villareal welcomed the preliminary investigation, which he said would give them opportunity to respond to the accusations &quot;which have since been shrouded in innuendo and unsubstantiated claims&quot; by Patidongan. Villarreal said they had found evidence that the whistleblower &quot;appears to have had motive to and is the one responsible for the disappearances.&quot;“Realizing that investigators were about to pin him down, he resorted to concocting a fantastic story putting blame on his superiors and benefactors as his easy way out of his impending imprisonment,” Villareal said in a statement. “Hinahamon ko si Dondon na lumabas na sa likod ng saya ni Secretary Remulla at patunayan niya sa pamamagitan ng ebidensiya ang mga akusasyon niya. Paghandaan na rin nya panagutan ang konsikwensiya ng mga kagagawan nya,” he added.“The time for reckoning has come. In time, the truth about the one truly responsible for the disappearances of the ‘missing sabungeros’ will out,” said Ang&#x27;s lawyer.  Barretto&#x27;s lawyer Alma Mallonga said they would issue a statement &quot;in due time.&quot;On August 29, the  Department of Justice released  the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against the respondents.Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla previously said all personalities tagged in the controversy by Julie “Dondon” Patidongan or alias &quot;Totoy&quot; have been issued ILBOs.ILBOs direct immigration personnel to monitor a subject&#x27;s movements out of and into the country but do not authorize them to bar departure.Remulla said the DOJ Panel of Prosecutors could request a Precautionary Hold Departure Order from the court once the preliminary investigation starts.The 2022 spate of mysterious disappearances in the country&#x27;s huge cockfighting industry erupted back into the public consciousness in June with the televised appearance of a Patidongan, who claimed to know where bodies had been submerged in Lake Taal.He said as many as 100 people were murdered over their alleged involvement in match-fixing, supposedly killed by police moonlighting for an online cockfight operator.Divers have spent more than a month searching in the lake, which spans more than 230 square kilometers.

The Department of Justice said it issued subpoenas for businessman Atong Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto, and about 60 others in relation to its preliminary investigation into the disappearance of dozens of sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts.

The Department of Justice said it issued subpoenas for businessman Atong Ang, actress Gretchen Barretto, and about 60 others in relation to its preliminary investigation into the disappearance of dozens of sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts.

DOJ issues subpoenas for Atong Ang, Gretchen Barretto, 60 others tagged in ‘missing sabungeros’ case

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DOJ issues subpoenas for Atong Ang, Gretchen Barretto, 60 others tagged in ‘missing sabungeros’ case

Jessie Cruzat,

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 10, 2025 12:13 PM PHT

|

Updated Sep 10, 2025 07:10 PM PHT

Read More:

sabong

sabungero

Taal

missing sabungero

police

PNP

DOJ

Atong Ang

Gretchen Barretto

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