Atong Ang hits back: Files criminal cases vs. “Totoy” over alleged ₱300M extortion and sabungeros scandal

MANILA -- Prominent gaming tycoon Charlie "Atong" Ang has filed multiple criminal complaints against self-proclaimed whistleblower Julie Patidongan, also known as “Totoy,” and former employee Alan Batiles a.k.a. “Brown,” over what he describes as an orchestrated ₱300 million extortion attempt and threats to falsely implicate him in the high-profile case of missing cockfighting aficionados or sabungeros. The complaints were formally submitted to the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday. Ang was accompanied by his legal counsel, Atty. Lorna Kapunan. The charges include conspiracy to commit attempted robbery with violence or intimidation, grave threats, grave coercion, grave slander, and incriminating innocent persons. In his complaint-affidavit, Ang identified Patidongan as a former farm manager at the Pitmaster Group. He said he had entrusted him with overseeing daily operations and general upkeep of his farms, supervising security personnel, managing manpower, and ensuring the delivery of essential supplies. Patidongan, according to Ang, also handled responsibilities in cockfighting venues located in Lipa, Batangas; Sta. Cruz, Laguna; and Sta. Ana, Manila. “Puno’t dulo talaga nito, pera.” — Ang Ang said the extortion attempt took place between February and June 2025. Despite having no legal or contractual claim to any money, Patidongan and Batiles allegedly made “calculated and persistent efforts” involving coercion and public defamation in an effort to extract ₱300 million from him. “Well, ang puno’t dulo talaga nito, pera,” Ang remarked. He also accused Patidongan of threatening to falsely implicate him in the disappearances and alleged killings of several sabungeros, a case that has held the nation’s attention for over a year. He recounted a June 20 phone call in which Patidongan allegedly made direct threats. “Mag-isip ka, Don, wag ka na magsinungaling nang magsinungaling," Ang said. "Tinuring kitang parang anak ko eh, ’di ko alam na ganyan ka kasama. Papatayin mo pa ako, kikidnapin mo pa ako," he said. Televised Accusations Spark Legal Fallout The complaints also cite a GMA-7 interview aired on June 17, where Patidongan implied that there were unnamed “masterminds” behind the sabungeros' disappearances. A follow-up interview on June 26 referenced a “female celebrity”—widely speculated to be actress Gretchen Barretto—and on July 2, Patidongan directly accused both Ang and Barretto of being the masterminds. Both have categorically denied any involvement. “These allegations are entirely false, baseless, and malicious,” Ang said at a press conference. Seeking Justice and Accountability Atty. Kapunan confirmed that Patidongan allegedly demanded ₱300 million in exchange for retracting his claims. Ang has formally asked authorities to investigate and prosecute those behind what he calls “dangerous and damaging lies.” “It’s as simple as this,” Ang told reporters. “I have to protect myself and my team. We’ve already suffered too much.” (Contributed photo)

Ex-security chief accuses Atong Ang as mastermind behind missing sabungeros; Gretchen Barretto also named

MANILA — A former security aide has publicly named businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang as the alleged mastermind behind the abduction and presumed killing of more than 30 missing cockfighters (sabungeros). In an exclusive interview by Emil Sumangil aired on GMA’s 24 Oras, Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known by the alias “Totoy,” accused Ang of orchestrating the abductions and killings of several cockfighters. Patidongan, a former chief of security for Ang’s cockfighting operations, claimed that Ang ordered the execution of cockfighters suspected of cheating. In the same interview, he also implicated actress Gretchen Barretto, asserting she had knowledge of the operations. “Mr. Charlie Atong Ang and then Eric Dela Rosa, Engineer Celso Salazar, sila ang mastermind sa mga nawawalang sabungero," Patidongan said in the interview. He explained that Dela Rosa monitored cockfights for signs of cheating and reported alleged offenders to Ang. These reports, according to Patidongan, were then reviewed with Salazar. "Then itawag sa akin na i-hold yung mga taong nagti-tiyope,” Patidongan said. “Si Mr. Atong Ang… siya ang pinaka-mastermind at siya nag-uutos na talagang iligpit ng mga ‘yan." Patidongan also alleged that police officers were used to carry out the abductions and executions, although he did not identify specific individuals within law enforcement. When asked by GMA News to clarify his earlier references to a public figure involved in the case, Patidongan named actress Gretchen Barretto. “100% na may kinalaman siya gawa na lagi silang magkasama ni Mr. Atong Ang. Ang panawagan ko lang, makipagtulungan na lang siya sa akin,” Patidongan said. Malacañang Orders Probe on Missing Sabungeros The gravity of the allegations prompted a response from the highest levels of government. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered a thorough investigation, particularly in light of reports implicating law enforcement personnel. In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro conveyed the President’s stance: “Ipagpatuloy po ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga para malaman kung sino talaga ang sangkot at mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot,” she said. “We believe in the integrity of our courts and that this case will be resolved according to the law,” Castro added. “Totoy” Cites Confidence Under Torre; Ang to File Complaint-Affidavit Explaining his decision to speak publicly, Patidongan said he now feels safe under the leadership of newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, General Nicolas Torre III. “Lumutang ako dahil alam ko na ang pinagkatiwalaan kong tao na ang ating PNP chief. Alam kong hindi siya kayang bayaran,” he said. The PNP has expressed full support for the ongoing probe. General Torre said the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) will work closely with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in identifying and disciplining those involved. Napolcom also launched a parallel investigation following Patidongan’s claim that as many as 20 police officers may have taken part in the disappearances. From 2021 to 2022, a total of 34 sabungeros were reported missing, sparking public outrage and demands for accountability. Meanwhile, in response to Totoy’s statements, Ang is expected to file a complaint-affidavit on Thursday, July 3, 2025. His legal counsel, Atty. Lorna Kapunan, said Ang intends to formally deny the allegations and “put an end to the speculation” surrounding his alleged involvement. (Contributed photo)

Senator Hontiveros targets alleged disinformation network, expands complaint to include influencers behind fake video

MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros announced Tuesday that she is expanding her formal complaint to include vloggers and online personalities allegedly involved in the coordinated dissemination of fake news and malicious attacks related to the case against controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy. In a statement ahead of the filing, Hontiveros revealed that, in addition to the original video featuring former Senate witness Michael Maurilio (alias “Rene”), her complaint to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will now name specific individuals for potential cyber-libel charges. “Kasama din sa reklamo natin yung mga vlogger/blogger na sistematikong nagpakalat at dumagdag sa mga kasinungalingan—tungkol sa witnesses, tungkol sa aking staff, at tungkol sa Senado mismo,” she said. Among those identified were Krizette Chu, Tio Moreno, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Rob Rances, Jay Sonza, Sass Rogando Sasot, Joie Cruz, and Eric Celiz. “Bilang public official, bukas ako sa lehitimong kritisismo,” Hontiveros noted. “Pero hindi ako papayag sa panghaharass at mapanganib na kasinungalingan.” Her legal team considers cyber-libel the most appropriate charge for now, but warned that further legal steps may follow as the investigation unfolds. “Simula pa lang ito, step one pa lang,” Hontiveros said. “Aabangan natin ang resulta ng imbestigasyon—kung ano pa ang dapat ikaso, at sino pa ang dapat kasuhan.” She also urged the NBI to identify the masterminds behind what she called a deliberate disinformation campaign—one she believes may be linked to the last alarming text message her office received from Maurilio. He reportedly claimed to have been kidnapped and taken to a KOJC-controlled site referred to as “Glory Mountain.” Central to her complaint is a YouTube channel named “Pagtanggol Valiente,” which posted two viral videos featuring Maurilio. The channel was reportedly created only on June 24 and is being flagged by her team as part of the alleged disinformation network. “Lumalabas na itong obvious na fake news channel na ito—na kagagawa lang nitong June 24—ang unang nagpakalat ng video ni Michael,” Hontiveros said. The senator had earlier described the video as a clear act of witness tampering and said it endangered whistleblowers and Senate personnel. She pledged additional legal action as the case develops. “Make no mistake: This isn’t just an attack on my office," she stressed. "This is an attack on truth-telling. Kaya hindi natin hahayaan na takutin nila ang mga witnesses, at sindakin nila ang Senado. Kaya, sa mga nasa likod ng video na ito: You have crossed the line. Sobra na kayo.” The video’s spread follows a wave of harassment and threats against Senate witnesses and staff after a public hearing involving Quiboloy, who faces allegations ranging from sexual abuse to human trafficking. 📷 Office of Sen. Risa Hontiveros

Acquitted again: De Lima cleared after CA remand

MANILA — A regional trial court judge has reaffirmed his decision to acquit Leila de Lima, a former senator and newly elected member of the House of Representatives, of drug-related conspiracy charges—despite an appellate court’s order questioning the legal foundation of the ruling. The decision by Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara of Muntinlupa City’s Regional Trial Court Branch 204 comes more than a year after he initially cleared Ms. de Lima and her former aide, Ronnie Dayan, of allegations that they accepted drug money from prison syndicates during her tenure as justice secretary. “WHEREFORE, both accused Leila M. De Lima y Magistrado and Ronnie Palisoc Dayan are hereby ACQUITTED of the crime charged on the ground of reasonable doubt,” Alcantara wrote in a decision dated Friday, June 27, 2025. In April, the Court of Appeals voided the May 2023 acquittal and ordered the trial court to revisit its ruling, citing its failure to sufficiently explain the factual and legal basis for the decision. But in a revised judgment issued Friday, Judge Alcantara said the retraction of testimony by a key government witness was a “sufficient basis” to uphold the presumption of innocence. The witness, former Bureau of Corrections official Rafael Ragos, had earlier alleged that he delivered 10 million pesos in drug money to De Lima’s residence in 2012. In 2022, however, he recanted, claiming he had been coerced into implicating her. “With due respect to the Honorable CA, the original decision of this Court was clear and unequivocal on this very basic essential point, i.e., the recantation already created reasonable doubt. The extended discussion under this revised Decision does not deviate nor change the elementary basis for the acquittal,” the decision read. “In fact, the basis remains completely the same from the original Decision. Thus, the undersigned Presiding Judge humbly submits that the original Decision already clearly and distinctly stated the facts and law upon which it was based,” it added. In a statement, De Lima thanked the judge “for his steadfast adherence to justice,” and described the years-long proceedings as a politically motivated effort to silence her. “Vindicated numerous times, and yet they are relentless in trying to silence me,” she said. “But no matter how hard they try, they cannot erase the truth.” De Lima, one of the most outspoken critics of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody anti-drug campaign, was arrested in 2017 and detained for nearly seven years. She was released on bail in November 2023 after two cases against her were dismissed, with the third following in June 2024. Her legal ordeal has drawn widespread attention from human rights organizations, many of whom expressed concern over what they viewed as the use of the justice system by authorities to harass and punish political dissent. With her acquittal reaffirmed, De Lima is poised to return to public service, having won a seat in the House of Representatives in the May 2025 elections under the Mamamayang Liberal partylist. 📷 Leila de Lima FB