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)