Charlie “Atong” Ang has formally asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to reconsider its decision to indict him for kidnapping and homicide in connection with the disappearance of several cockfight enthusiasts.

Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel L. Villareal, confirmed Wednesday that the motion for reconsideration was filed Friday. The petition seeks to reverse a DoJ resolution that found prima facie evidence against Ang and several others following what prosecutors described as a “meticulous evaluation” of the consolidated cases.

While Villareal did not provide specific details regarding the contents of the motion, he previously told reporters that the department’s decision “suffers from clear factual gaps and substantial inconsistencies.”

The DoJ has not yet officially confirmed receipt of the petition.

The indictment against Ang includes 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention. The charges stem from the high-profile disappearance of dozens of sabungeros, which began in 2021.