The Justice for Missing Sabungeros Network (JMSN) 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 half a decade of uncertainty and anguish.
The group said the indictments are a significant development, but emphasized that they did not yet constitute full justice.
“After half a decade of waiting and suffering, there finally is a movement toward justice. The filing of cases is an important step, but it is not the end,” said the group, stressing that the fight will continue until all those responsible are held to account.
The network insisted that it will not accept “half-justice,” noting that the DoJ’s dismissal of charges against several other respondents — albeit without prejudice — showed that “the full picture is still incomplete.” They urged the authorities to complete the investigation, identify all accomplices, and ensure that no one evades liability.
“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, JMSN convenor, said in an interview that the families were leaving the legal processes to the DoJ.
“We leave it to the DoJ, to the experts, kung ano yun marapat na gawin (for what should be done),” said Lazaro.
On the indictment of Ang, he said in the vernacular, “But now, it is a good Christmas gift; at the very least it will start justice rolling.”
He recalled the pressure on the families, noting the offers and intimidation before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his State of the Nation Address.
“At least we were given hope because of this development,” Lazaro said, underscoring the renewed hope sparked by the DoJ’s action.
The DoJ announced it will file 26 informations before various regional trial courts, involving charges of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention related to the missing sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts) case.
Meanwhile the lawyer of actress Gretchen Barretto hailed the DoJ’s decision that cleared her of involvement in the disappearance of the sabungeros.
“Thankfully, the Department of Justice agreed, ruling that the accusations were based on speculation and were uncorroborated, and thus it dismissed the complaint against her for lack of merit,” said Alma Mallonga, Barretto’s lawyer, in a statement.
Barretto, along with Ang and the other respondents, were linked by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan to the alleged disappearance of dozens of sabungeros.
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, Caroline Cruz, Joey de los Santos, Angelito Guerra and Mayor Bernie Tacoy — were “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 indicated that the respondents were named in the complaint but were not linked to any overt acts of detaining or harming the victims.
“The mere mention of their names without a factual narration of their involvement does not meet the quantum of evidence required to establish a prima facie case,” the DoJ said.
The DoJ, however, maintained that Ang and the other indicted respondents exercised command responsibility, authorized orders, and approved payments linked to the alleged unlawful detention of the sabungeros.