Amid the Manhunt Operation, Atong Ang’s Lawyer Speaks on Businessman
Atong Ang’s lawyer Gabriel Villareal confirmed that he advised the businessman not to surrender until all legal remedies were exhausted.
The families and kin of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts remain calling for justice over the disappearance of their loved ones. Previously, there were witnesses who tagged business giant Atong Ang to the supposed disappearance of the sabungeros. There were also claims that their bodies were allegedly thrown in Taal Lake.
The witnesses who claimed to be working for Ang before also said that the missing sabungeros allegedly suffered a lot before their bodies were supposedly thrown. The controversial businessman denied the allegations.
Former actress Gretchen Barretto was also tagged in the case of the missing sabungeros but the Department of Justice (DOJ) junked the complaints against her. It is no secret to the public that Atong Ang and Barretto are close and they were even romantically-linked before.
To his defense, Atong Ang filed complaints against the witnesses over the case of the missing sabungeros. The Mandaluyong prosecutor junked the complaints of the businessman. Arrest warrants were released against Ang and 17 other individuals tagged in the case.
Here are the 17 individuals who were faced with an arrest warrant aside from businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang:
- Rogelio Teodoso Borican Jr.
- Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum
- Mark Carlo Evangelista Zabala
- Rodelo Antipuesto Anging
- Emman Cayunda Falle
- Julios Tagalog Gumolon
- Ronquillo Pacot Anding
- Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa
- Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan
- Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique
- Anderson Orozco Abary
- Michael Jactin Claveria
- Edmon Hernandez Munoz
- Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz
- Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio
- Alfredo Uy Andes
- Joey Natanaun Encarnacion
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) claimed that they have already arrested the above-mentioned individuals. Out of the 18 individuals ordered by the court to be arrested, only Atong Ang remains at large. Atong Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, spoke on the matter.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Atty. Gabriel Villareal claimed that his client should not be considered a criminal as he has yet to face a trial. Atong Ang’s lawyer also admitted that he advised the businessman not to surrender until they exhaust all the legal remedies available for him.
“Bakit naman niya ipagsasapalaran ang sarili niya sa pagsuko? Marami pa siyang natitirang judicial remedies. Hindi naman dapat siyang tinutugis na parang isang kriminal. Wala pa naman tayong trial at declaration of guilt para kay Mr. Ang,” he said.
Atong Ang’s lawyer filed an omnibus motion for the Sta. Cruz Regional Trial Court to reconsider its release of arrest warrants against the businessman and 17 other individuals. Based on the report, Villareal also turned down the claim of Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla that Ang is allegedly “armed and dangerous”.
Recently, the DILG Secretary announced that they will give a P10 million reward for information that could lead to the arrest of Atong Ang.