Court Issues Warrant for Ang, Police in Sabungero Killings

A regional trial court in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, issued an arrest warrant on January 13, 2026, for businessman Charlie Atong Ang and at least 17 others, including several police officers, in connection with the kidnapping and homicide of multiple cockfighting enthusiasts known as sabungeros. The nonbailable charges stem from the mysterious disappearances of dozens of individuals last seen at online cockfighting events between April 2021 and January 2022.

The warrant, issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 26 under Presiding Judge Mary Jean Cajandab Ong, targets Ang, who faces three counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention and kidnapping with homicide across courts in Sta. Cruz and San Pablo in Laguna, as well as Lipa in Batangas. The accused include Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Jay Orapa, Rogelio Teodoso Borican Jr., Rodelo Anigig, Jezrel Mahilum, Mark Carlo Zabala Ronquillo, Anding, Police Senior Master Sergeant Joey Natanauan Encarnacion, Police Executive Master Sergeant Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan, Police Master Sergeant Michael Jaictin Claveria, Police Senior Master Sergeant Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, Police Senior Master Sergeant Anderson Orozco Abary, Police...