The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed Tuesday that courts handling the cases of missing sabungeros have not yet issued warrants of arrest against 22 individuals, including businessman Atong Ang.
“As of yesterday (January 5), wala pa (there is no) warrant issued by the court,” DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said.
Last month, prosecutors found prima facie evidence to indict Ang and 21 others on 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide, with charges filed before regional trial courts in Batangas and Laguna.
Among those named are police and military officers, including Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa, MSgt. Michael Jaictin Claveria, and PSMSgt. Joey Natanauan Encarnacion. Several respondents also face charges of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.
Martinez said the panel of prosecutors will review a motion for reconsideration filed by victims’ relatives, who urged additional charges against individuals not indicted.
Families argued that whistleblower Dondon Patidongan’s testimony “establishes prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction that the respondents conspired to commit the special complex crime of kidnapping with homicide grouped by their roles.”
The case remains pending as courts deliberate on the issuance of warrants and prosecutors weigh further charges sought by the victims’ families.