The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 26 in Santa Cruz, Laguna has ordered the arrest of controversial gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang and 17 others — including high-ranking police officers — in connection with the long-running “missing sabungeros” case that has haunted the country for years.

The court issued arrest warrants after prosecutors accused Ang and his co-accused of orchestrating the abduction and disappearance of at least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts.

In a warrant signed by Presiding Judge Mary Jean Cajandab-ong on January 13 and made public the following day, Ang and several former and active police officers — including ex–Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa, Police Master Sgt. Michael Jaictin Claveria, and Police Staff Sgt. Alfredo Uy Andres — were charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention, a non-bailable offense.

The court also issued a separate arrest warrant for kidnapping with homicide, a charge that carries no possible bail.

Cops Ready to Strike

Philippine National Police (PNP) Acting Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed during a Malacañang press briefing that police were already moving to hunt down Ang.

“Identified na po ang iba’t ibang locations of Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang and the warrants will be served in those areas,” Nartatez said.

The police chief added that many of those named in the warrants were already under lock and key. “Some of the personalities subject of the warrant of arrest are already in the custody of the Philippine National Police under restrictive custody. There are about 10 to 11 police personnel who are now being directed to surrender to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).”

Ex-Cops, Arena Workers Nabbed

By Wednesday, authorities had already taken 15 suspects into custody, according to CIDG Director PMGen. Robert Morico II.

Nine police officers and six civilians — including former security guards and cockfighting arena workers linked to Ang — were arrested shortly after the warrants were served.

“Before nangyari ang [mga] ito, they are already under surveillance and they are arrested. Majority of them are from Region 4A,” Morico said. “All in all there are 18 accused and out of this number—10 are police officers, 1 is a former police officer, dismissed na kasi ‘yung isa and 8 ang civilian, including Atong Ang,” he added.

Authorities said Ang, one dismissed police officer, and another civilian remain on the run.

‘Surrender Peacefully’

Morico publicly urged Ang to give himself up — warning that the dragnet is tightening. “I asked Mr. Atong Ang to peacefully surrender na lang. We have several [operations], ongoing ngayon ang manhunt. There are several properties niya in Metro Manila as well as in Region 4A na ongoing ‘yung pag-ano ng tauhan namin,” he said.

The CIDG chief also warned that anyone who blocks the arrest — even private subdivision guards — could face charges. “It is a lawful order coming from the court. Mga security guards sa mga subdivision and doon sa bahay, anybody who will prevent us, we will be arresting you for obstruction of justice because there is a WOA and we will enforce it.”

Empty Mansion, Tense Standoff

Police stormed Ang’s Pasig City property Wednesday afternoon — only to come up empty-handed.

CIDG officers arrived around 2 p.m. but were initially blocked by a security guard, forcing police to set up a ladder to scale the gate. The situation de-escalated when a woman identifying herself as Ang’s lawyer arrived and demanded to see officers’ IDs before allowing entry.

CIDG NCR chief PCol. John Guiagui said officers searched the entire five-story compound. “Sad to say, wala po tayong nakita dito. Hinalughog po natin lahat ng pwede niyang pagtaguan mula sa basement up to the highest floor. ’Yung rooftop, inakyat natin. Wala tayong nakitang presence ni Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang,” he said.

DOJ Resolution

The arrest orders stem from a Department of Justice resolution released December 9, 2025, finding prima facie evidence to indict Ang and his co-respondents over the disappearance of 34 sabungeros between 2021 and 2022.

The victims were allegedly abducted after being accused of cheating in cockfighting matches.

Whistleblower and co-accused Julie “Dondon” Patidongan previously claimed the victims were dumped in Taal Lake — a claim that gained terrifying weight after human remains were recovered during search operations that began July 10, 2025.

Cases were filed across multiple courts in Lipa City, Santa Cruz, and San Pablo City on December 22.

📷 Contributed photo