Atong Ang may already be out of the country —whistleblower Patidongan

Missing sabungeros case whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan on Saturday said he believes that businessman Atong Ang, who now has an arrest warrant in connection with kidnapping with homicide of cockfighting enthusiasts, is out of the country.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Patidongan said, “Sa tingin ko… nasa ibang bansa na siya (I believe… he is already in another country).”

The whistleblower said that Ang will not submit himself to authorities, noting that the businessman is “not an ordinary person.”

“International ang kanyang grupo (His group is international),” he said.

Patidongan said that Ang might have been out of the country as early as December.

A regional trial court in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Wednesday issued a warrant of arrest against Ang and 17 other individuals in connection with a kidnapping with homicide case, a non-bailable offense under Philippine law. 

Based on the court document dated January 13, 2026, Regional Trial Court Branch 26 found probable cause to order the arrest of the accused, whose listed addresses span parts of Muntinlupa City, Laguna, and Batangas.

The warrant states that the accused are charged with kidnapping with homicide, a crime for which bail is expressly denied due to the gravity of the offense.

“The bail for the release of the accused in this case is fixed at NOT BAILABLE for kidnapping with homicide,” the order read.

The PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said 17 of the 18 individuals facing arrest warrants are in their custody. 

Another warrant of arrest for kidnapping with homicide was issued on Friday against Ang and several others over the missing sabungeros case, this time by a regional trial court in Lipa, Batangas.

Interpol

On Thursday the PNP-CIDG said it has requested the issuance of an Interpol red notice against Ang amid the arrest warrants against him over the missing sabungeros case. 

The Department of Justice (DOJ), however, said that Ang remains in the Philippines “based on all available records.”

Patidongan said that if Ang is still in the country, he could be hiding in one of his many properties.

“Kung nandito pa siya sa ating bansa, malamang nandiyan siya sa mga exclusive na mga subdivision na pag-aari niya o ng mga taong pinagkakatiwalaan niya,” he said.

(If he is still here in our country, most probably he is in one of the exclusive subdivisions he owns or is owned by people he trusts.)

“Para sa akin, sarili lang niya at hindi siya marunong magpakanlong sa mga general o sino man ... Talagang kung gagawin 'yan, sariling sikreto niya,” he added.

(For me, he is on his own and does not know how to seek protection from generals or whoever... If he will do this [hide], he will keep it a secret.)

A P10 million reward has been put up for information leading to the arrest of Ang.

In December 2025, the DOJ filed formal charges against Ang before several regional trial courts (RTCs) over the disappearance of several sabungeros, or cockfight enthusiasts.

Malacañang had said there would be no special treatment for Ang. —KG, GMA Integrated News