MANILA — The Department of Justice has found prima facie evidence to charge businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and 25 other individuals — including several police officers — with multiple counts of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

In a statement released Monday, prosecutors said they had established “prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction” against the respondents following a consolidated review of cases linked to the alleged abductions and killings.

Ten Counts of Kidnapping with Homicide

Ang, along with senior and junior police officers, was recommended for indictment on ten counts of kidnapping with homicide.

In addition to Ang, those named in the charge sheet include:

• PLt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa
• Rogelio Teodoso Borican Jr.
• Rodelo Anig-ig
• Jezrel Mahilum
• Mark Carlo Zabala
• Ronquillo Anding
• PSMS Joey Natanauan Encarnacion
• PEMS Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan
• PMSg. Michael Jaictin Claveria
• PSMS Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique
• PSMS Anderson Orozco Abary
• PSSg. Edmon Hernandez Muñoz
• PSSg. Alfredo Uy Andres
• PMaj. Philip Almedilla
• PLt. Henry Sasaluya
• PCMS Arturo Dela Cruz
• PSMS Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz
• PCpl. Angel Joseph Martin
• Emman Cayunda Falle
• Julious Tagalog Gumulon
• PMSg. Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio

Several names appeared more than once in the initial complaint documents but were listed only once in the DOJ panel’s final resolution.

Prosecutors also found grounds to charge Ang and several of the same police officials with sixteen counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention. These charges include unidentified officers allegedly under PLt. Col. Orapa’s command.

26 Cases to Be Filed in Court

Prosecutors are set to file a total of 26 separate Informations — formal criminal charges — before the appropriate courts.

Atty. Polo Martinez, DOJ spokesperson, said the cases will be filed in three different courts: the Regional Trial Courts of Lipa City in Batangas, Sta. Cruz in Laguna, and San Pablo in Laguna.

The DOJ added that cases against several other respondents were dismissed for lack of evidence but noted that these may be revived should new information emerge.

Allegations from Key Witness, Families Seek Justice

The decision follows testimony from whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, a former security chief at cockfighting arenas allegedly linked to Ang. Patidongan accused the businessman and several associates of orchestrating a series of abductions targeting “sabungeros.”

According to his sworn statement, more than 100 victims were allegedly kidnapped and later killed. Patidongan further claimed the bodies were dumped into the lake of Taal Volcano — allegations that sent shockwaves through the families of the missing.

Ang has vehemently denied all accusations, calling the claims “lies” and insisting he had no involvement in the disappearances or alleged killings.

In August, relatives of the missing sabungeros lodged complaints against Ang and more than 60 others, covering multiple counts of murder, serious illegal detention, and other major offenses. The DOJ’s findings represent the most substantial development in the cases to date.

📷 contributed photo