MANILA — Families of the so-called “missing sabungeros” have filed murder and serious illegal detention charges against gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, in connection with the high-profile disappearances of their relatives — many of whom were involved in online cockfighting, or e-sabong.

The complaint was filed Thursday at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila, more than four years after the victims went missing under mysterious circumstances. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III and whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, a former insider in the e-sabong industry, were also seen at the DOJ compound.

“Syempre masayang masaya po dahil four years naming inantay ito,” said Ryan Bautista, whose brother Michael is among those still missing.

Bautista was accompanied by officials from the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which has been leading the investigation.

General Torre declined to comment directly on the developments.

“No statement on missing sabungeros, si SOJ iyan,” he said.

The case gained renewed attention earlier this week after Philippine Coast Guard divers retrieved a human skull from Taal Lake, south of Manila, as part of ongoing search and recovery efforts. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed the discovery, saying it adds to a growing collection of human remains recovered from the lake since operations began last month.

The findings lend weight to earlier allegations by whistleblower “Totoy” Patidongan, who claimed that victims of e-sabong-related killings were dumped in the lake in an apparent attempt to cover up their murders.

Meanwhile, Atong Ang’s camp has yet to comment on the matter.

The e-sabong industry, which once generated billions in revenue, was ordered shut down by the government in 2022 following a wave of criminal cases and public outcry tied to disappearances, illegal detentions, and financial abuse.

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