MANILA — Turning the tables on his accuser, businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang has filed multiple charges against Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, alias Totoy, who earlier accused him of masterminding the disappearance of over 100 sabungeros.
Ang, accompanied by his legal counsel Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, filed the complaint before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office, accusing Patidongan of attempting to extort ₱300 million from him.
The complaint includes charges of conspiracy to commit attempted robbery with violence or intimidation of persons, grave threats, grave coercion, slander, and incriminating an innocent person.
“The reason na nandito kami and the reason why we filed the case is because, number one, for the truth to come out. Number two, to affirm that Atong Ang and the members of the… group are willing to cooperate with the government,” said Patajo-Kapunan in a media conference.
“That includes the President, that includes the Supreme Court, and that includes the Secretary of Justice and all the personnel,” she added.
The lawyer emphasized their support for justice and solidarity with the families of the missing individuals: “Sana ay mabasa rin ng gobyerno, and we will furnish them a copy, so that sundan nila ‘yung mga leads, hindi lang isang lead lang na false pa and misleading. ‘Wag sila maniwala sa evidence ng isang whistleblower na alam natin, based on personal knowledge, na siya ang nag di-distort.”
Patajo-Kapunan also asserted that the allegations were baseless and conveniently timed.
“The allegations are false. And I think it did come at a time when it became evident to him that Mr. Atong Ang was not going to give in to his extortion of ₱300 million, which he also tried, attempting to several members of the board,” she said.
Patidongan, in an earlier interview with GMA’s 24 Oras, alleged that Ang orchestrated the abductions and killings of the missing sabungeros, claiming they were dumped around Taal Lake between 2021 and 2022.
“Si Mr. Atong Ang… siya ang pinaka-mastermind at siya naguutos na talagang iligpit ng mga ‘yan,” he said.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., meanwhile, has called for a deeper investigation into the disappearances, amid revelations of alleged police involvement.
“Naniniwala po tayo sa integridad ng ating Korte at ito’y masosolusyunan na ayon sa batas at ayon sa rule of law,” said Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro.
“Ipagpatuloy po ang pag-iimbestiga, ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga para malaman kung sino ba talaga ang sangkot dito at mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot,” she added./PN
