Controversial businessman Atong Ang, through his lawyer, has requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to exclude him from ongoing Manila court proceedings involving missing sabungeros.
On the final day of hearings for the reopened Manila Arena case, Ang’s legal counsel, Gabriel Villareal, opposed the affidavit of whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who accused Ang of masterminding the kidnapping and serious illegal detention cases before the Manila Regional Trial Court.
Villareal argued that Patidongan himself is the accused in the Manila cases and that Ang had no involvement in the disappearances.
“Ngayon na lang po na tapos na ang presentasyon sa Manila, nagbukas sila ng bagong panel at sinasabing maaring kasangkot dito, kasangkot sa kaso si Mr. Ang at ang kanilang testigo ang mismong tao na pino-prosecute nila sa Manila, nagkabaliktaran na ho ang mundo,” Villareal said.
The reopening of the Manila cases followed the DOJ filing 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention against Ang and others in Laguna and Batangas courts, based on Patidongan’s testimony that Ang ordered the killing of “cheating” cockfight enthusiasts whose bodies were allegedly dumped in Taal Lake.
Villareal maintained that Ang had no role in the disappearances or deaths in Manila, Laguna, or Batangas.
“Wala po, hindi ho, in fact iyong kaso sa Manila tuloy tuloy nagtapos na ang prosecution doon na walang kinalaman si Mr. Ang doon,” he said.
DOJ Spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez confirmed the re-investigation of the Manila cases, noting that the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group initiated the reopening.
“The purpose of the re-opening is to identify the initially unknown John Does. If and when so determined, said John Does will be subsequently charged in the ongoing trial,” Martinez explained.
Villareal added he has no information on Ang’s current whereabouts but believes his client remains in the Philippines and intends to face charges once all legal remedies are exhausted.
“I think at the proper time, when we should have exhausted all his legal remedies, he will face whatever is being brought up against him,” he said.