15 of Atong Ang’s co-accused plead not guilty

Several of Atong Ang’s co-accused in the missing Sabungeros case had filed a not guilty plea before the Lipa City Regional Trial Court.

According to Saleema Refran’s "24 Oras" report on Friday, the accused were charged with six counts of kidnapping with homicide via video conference in relation to the six missing sabungeros accused of cheating at AA Cobra Game Farm.

Five other accused were not presented with their charges upon the request of their legal counsel, while several others have already filed a petition for bail.

The relatives of the victims were also present during the arraignment and have expressed their disdain over the pleas filed by the suspects.

“Yun po ang masasakit eh… Yung sasabihin nila na not guilty… Hindi ako susuko. Hindi ko isusuko yung anak ko hanggang hindi ko makuha. Kahit buto na, iuwi ko pa,” said Carmen Malaca, mother of one of the victims.

(That’s the painful part… That they say they are not guilty… I will not quit. I will not give up on my son until I get him back. Even if all that is left of him are bones, I will bring him home.)

A pre-marking of evidence is set to be held on February 20, while a hearing on the case will be conducted on February 27.

Meanwhile, businessman Atong Ang remains at large.

The Department of Interior and Local Government earlier said that they have already sent personnel to confirm reports of Ang’s presence in Cambodia. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News