Families welcome charges in missing sabungeros case, say justice not over

The Justice for Missing Sabungeros Network described the filing of criminal cases against businessman Atong Ang and several others by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as a long-awaited step toward accountability after nearly five years of uncertainty and anguish.

The group said the indictment marks significant progress but stressed that it does not yet amount to full justice.

The families said, “After half a decade of waiting and suffering, there is finally movement toward justice. The filing of cases is an important step, but it is not the end, stressing the fight will continue until all those responsible are held accountable.”

The network said it will not accept “half-justice,” noting that the DOJ’s dismissal of charges against several respondents—albeit without prejudice—shows that “the full picture is still incomplete.” It urged authorities to complete the investigation, identify all accomplices, and ensure that no one evades accountability.

“This is a reminder that no family should ever again experience losing a loved one with no answers and no place to mourn,” the group said.

Bong Lazaro, convenor of the Justice for Missing Sabungero Network, said the families are leaving the legal process to the DOJ.

“We leave it to the DOJ, to the experts, kung ano ‘yung marapat na gawin,” Lazaro said. On the indictment of Ang, he added, “But now, it is a good Christmas gift at least the very least, it will start the roll of justice,” Lazaro said in the vernacular.

Lazaro also recalled the pressures faced by the families in the past, including alleged offers and intimidation attempts before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address. “At least we were given hope because of this development,” he said, underscoring the renewed optimism sparked by the DOJ’s move.

Earlier, the DOJ announced that it would file 26 informations before various regional trial courts, involving charges of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention in connection with the missing sabungeros case.

Meanwhile, the lawyer of actress Gretchen Barretto welcomed the DOJ’s decision clearing her of any involvement, calling it a vindication.

“Thankfully, the Department of Justice agreed, ruling that the accusations were based on speculation and uncorroborated, and thus dismissed the complaint against her for lack of merit,” said Alma Mallonga, Barretto’s lawyer, in an earlier statement.

Barretto, along with Ang and other respondents, had been linked by whistleblower Julie Patidongan to the alleged disappearance of dozens of sabungeros.

However, the DOJ panel of prosecutors said the evidence against the so-called “Pitmaster Alpha Group”—which included Barretto, William Ang, Lornalee C. Vingson, Richard Perez, Arman Santos, Jojo Cruz, John Capinpin, Atty. Caroline Cruz, Joey Delos Santos, Angelito Guerra, and Mayor Bernie Tacoy—was “speculative and uncorroborated.”

“The Patidongan brothers merely alleged that these persons attended meetings where decisions were supposedly made to ‘punish’ cheating sabungeros,” the DOJ resolution read. Sworn statements showed that while the respondents were named in the complaint, they were not linked to any overt acts of detaining or harming the victims.

“The mere mention of their names without factual narration of their involvement does not meet the quantum of evidence required to establish a prima facie case,” the DOJ said.

The DOJ maintained, however, that Ang and other respondents who were indicted exercised command responsibility by approving orders and payments connected to the alleged unlawful detentions.