National Police Commission Chief Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan on Thursday publicly named businessman Atong Ang as the alleged “sabong boss” who attempted to interfere in the investigation involving police officers linked to the disappearance of several sabungeros.
Calinisan said Ang was the “sabong boss” he referred to in July 2025 when he disclosed that two groups sought to influence the National Police Commission’s probe into 12 active members of the Philippine National Police. The other group was allegedly linked to a local government executive.
He said all attempts at intervention were firmly rejected, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure there are no cover-ups and that all leads are pursued.
Calinisan said Ang allegedly attempted to intercede through a person personally close to him, an act he described as raising serious concerns over undue interest in the case. He stressed that the commission remains impervious to pressure, regardless of wealth or influence.
“Sa totoo lang, nainsulto ako nung sinubukan akong aregluhin. Kahit maraming pera ang kampo ni Atong Ang, hindi nila tayo kayang bayaran. Atong Ang himself made that call to someone very close to me. Ang tanong, bakit nya kailangang abugaduhin ang "mga pulis nya" sa akin? Why does he have an interest in this case at sya mismo ang tatawag dun sa taong very close sa akin? That call says a lot. May sarili akong utak, hindi ako kayang aregluhin. Hindi ako kayang bayaran. Justice is not for sale," Calinisan said.
“I am disclosing this now, in the spirit of transparency. Heto ang tamang oras para ilahad ko ang detalyeng ito, dahil tapos na kaso namin sa mga pulis na involved," he added.
Calinisan disclosed that Ang made the call on 12 July 2025, after Alyas Totoy expressed his intention to file a complaint against the errant police officers with NAPOLCOM, which he later did on 14 July 2025.
Despite the alleged intervention, the NAPOLCOM Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service still filed formal charges against the respondent policemen on 29 July 2025.
NAPOLCOM recently announced the dismissal from the police service of 11 police officers and recommended the dismissal of the police general involved.
Calinisan emphasized that accountability is being enforced through evidence-based and due process-driven proceedings.
“Para malinaw, ang NAPOLCOM bilang Pulis ng Pulis, tutugisin at uusigin namin ang sinumang pulis na umabuso sa kapangyarihan. Walang sinuman ang higit sa batas, at ang tiwala ng taumbayan ang pinangangalagaan natin," he said.