Missing sabungeros' kin claim Atong Ang lawyer asking families to avoid hearings

Loved ones of some of the missing sabungeros denied that they were the ones who initiated a meeting with Atong Ang’s lawyer Atty. Caroline Cruz sometime in April.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras,” the relatives of the missing cock fighters said Cruz was trying to weaken their case by convincing them to skip the hearings in exchange for money.

Of over 30, only five families are now attending the hearings regarding the missing cockfighters.

Atong Ang and several others are facing kidnapping with homicide charges in connection with the disappearances.

A whistleblower, Dondon Patidongan, earlier told the relatives that the missing cock fighters have already been killed after being suspected of cheating in cockfights.

“Siya po talaga ang nagpatawag sa amin sa tulong po ng ibang kasamahan namin. Ang sabi niya, ‘Baka naman pwede na bigyan ka namin ng pangpasyal-pasyal. Wag ka na lang mag attend ng hearing,” Maria Thereesa Japag said.

“Never ko kayong kinonntak,” Dianne Loyola said, addressing Cruz. She said Cruz offered P40,000 a month in exchange for her skipping the hearings. –NB, GMA News