A Lipa City court has ordered the arrest of businessman Atong Ang and several others in connection with the disappearance of more than a dozen cockfight enthusiasts.
Lipa City Regional Trial Court Branch 13 Judge Pamela Chavez-Izon issued the arrest warrant dated January 15, addressed to “any officer of the law.” No bail was recommended.
Ang and his co-accused face charges of kidnapping with homicide, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention.
Also ordered arrested were Ryan Jay Orapa, Alfredo Andes, Henry Sasaluya, Farby Dela Cruz, Angel Joseph Martin, Joey Encarnacion, Aaron Ezrah Cabillan, Michael Claveria, Renan Fulgencio, Philip Almedilla, Arturo Dela Cruz Jr., Mark Anthony Manrique, Anderson Abary, Edmon Muñoz, Rogelio Borican Jr., Rodel Anig-ig, Mark Carlo Zabala, Jezrel Mahilum, Emman Falle, and Julios Gumolon.
The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) confirmed that Orapa, Almedilla, Cabillan, Dela Cruz, Encarnacion, Manrique, Abary, Andes, Muñoz, Martin, and Fulgencio were police officers who have since been dismissed.
“The said police officers are found to be culpable of six counts of grave misconduct and one count of conduct unbecoming of a police officer, and are metted with the maximum penalty of dismissal from police service in view of the gravity of their offenses,” NAPOLCOM vice chairperson and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan said in a press briefing Friday.
“The accessory penalties of forfeiture of retirement benefits, cancellation of eligibility, and perpetual disqualification for holding any government positions are likewise imposed,” he added.
Calinisan also disclosed that former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz is recommended for dismissal for similar offenses. He explained that presidential clearance is required for ranks of police colonel and above.
Macapaz was found to have unlawfully seized the phones of Julie “Dondon” and Elakim Patidongan, witnesses linked to the case. He allegedly altered and deleted messages and caused the loss of SD cards containing crucial evidence, Calinisan said.
This development follows an earlier arrest warrant issued by a Sta. Cruz, Laguna court against Ang and 18 co-accused on similar charges. A third batch of cases is pending before a San Pablo City court.
The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group earlier reported that 17 of Ang’s co-accused in the first batch are already in custody.
Ang, through his counsel, has denied the charges, arguing that prosecutors should have remanded the case to police investigators.