World · Philippines Bureau
Families withdraw from cockfighting case against gaming tycoon
The departure of most families of missing cockfighting enthusiasts from kidnapping charges against gaming entrepreneur Atong Ang will not undermine the criminal case, prosecutors said Wednesday. The prosecution maintains sufficient evidence to proceed with charges involving the disappearances.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Prosecutor General's Office said it remains confident in pursuing kidnapping charges against gaming tycoon Atong Ang and implicated police officers despite the withdrawal of most families of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts as parties to the case.
Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon noted that the families' decision to step back as complainants would not materially weaken the criminal aspects of the investigation. The prosecutor emphasized that the government's case does not depend solely on the participation of private complainants, as the state retains independent authority to prosecute crimes affecting public order.
The disappearances of the "sabungeros," or cockfighting enthusiasts, have drawn significant public attention in recent months. Authorities have been investigating allegations that Ang and several police personnel were involved in the abductions, which prompted the filing of charges before the prosecutor's office.
Fadullon's statement suggests the prosecution has gathered sufficient evidence through its own investigation to move forward independently. The case represents one of several high-profile kidnapping investigations currently under review by the prosecutor's office.