Fugitive businessman Atong Ang has asked the Department of Justice to exclude him from the Manila Arena case involving missing sabungeros.
His lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, challenged the affidavit of whistleblower Julie Patidongan, who recently recanted earlier statements and now claims Ang masterminded the abduction of cockfighting enthusiasts.
The DOJ confirmed that the case has undergone a reopened investigation led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to identify additional suspects.
Authorities, including the National Bureau of Investigation, are still verifying Ang’s whereabouts amid conflicting reports, while multiple courts in Region IV-A have issued arrest warrants against him.
The Manila Arena case remains pending in court as legal proceedings continue alongside efforts to locate the fugitive tycoon.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 24, 2026
