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Arrest warrant issued vs Atong Ang, 17 others for kidnapping with homicide
A regional trial court in Sta. Cruz, Laguna has issued a warrant of arrest against Atong 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.
BREAKING NEWS: Warrant of arrest for Businessman Charlie "Atong Ang" and 17 others, released by Laguna RTC Branch 26 for kidnapping and homicide, with no bail. pic.twitter.com/4cbdAjo4pU
— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) January 14, 2026
The other individuals named in the warrant are:
- Rogelio Teodoso Borican Jr.
- Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum
- Mark Carlo Evangelista Zabala
- Rodelo Antipuesto Anging
- Emman Cayunda Falle
- Julios Tagalog Gumolon
- Ronquillo Pacot Anding
- Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa
- Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan
- Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique
- Anderson Orozco Abary
- Michael Jactin Claveria
- Edmon Hernandez Munoz
- Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz
- Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio
- Alfredo Uy Andes
- Joey Natanaun Encarnacion
The court also directed law enforcement officers to strictly follow the Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras during the execution of the warrant, requiring at least one body camera and an alternative recording device to document the arrest process.
The arrest warrant was signed by Presiding Judge Mary Jean T. Cajandab-Ong and furnished to the Philippine National Police - Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (PNP DIDM) and the concerned police station commander for immediate implementation.
Later in the afternoon, the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said 17 of the 18 individuals facing arrest warrants are in their custody.
CIDG spokesperson Police Major Helen dela Cruz said only Ang is at large.
"Yes po, Mr. Atong Ang na lang ang kasalukuyang under manhunt operation," she said.
(Yes. Mr. Atong Ang is the only remaining accused under manhunt operation.)
On Wednesday, the Bureau of Immigration said that Ang had not recently traveled overseas.
A lookout bulletin order has been issued against Ang and other individuals named by whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan.
‘Premature’
Meanwhile, Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, described the court decision as “premature.”
Villareal also described the order of the Sta. Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court Branch as “legally questionable,” saying it failed to meet the constitutional standards that should have been observed under the circumstances.
“Clearly, the court merely acted on the incomplete and one-sided information provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in its determination of probable cause, without having even seen the counter affidavits and exculpatory evidence of the respondents, including that of Mr. Ang,” Villareal said.
He said the action violates Ang’s rights and is constitutionally infirm, adding that they will exhaust all available legal remedies to give Ang the opportunity to challenge the arrest order.
“We have and will continue to render due respect to the government, the authorities and our courts. We trust that the they will similarly give due respect to Mr. Ang and his co-accused.”
“Even as we regret that the court has apparently chosen to disregard our plea for fairness and observance of the tenets of due process, we will continue to avail of the remedies available to us and accordingly deal with the processes of the court.”
Villareal maintained that Ang is innocent of all the charges leveled against him by self confessed whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, whom he described as the author and architect of a grand scheme to cover up his misdeeds.
“It is unfortunate that the DOJ has allowed itself to become a witting instrument of Patidongan’s manipulations aimed at absolving himself of legal culpability at the expense of Mr. Ang,” Villareal said.
He added that no physical evidence has been presented by the DOJ to link Ang to the case and that only Patidongan’s narrative was used in pinning culpability. “This case was built on haste and from the beginning and the intent to use our client as a diversion has now become apparent.”
GMA Integrated News is still trying to get the comments of the 17 other accused.
Following the issuance of the arrest warrants, Justice Department spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez said prosecutors will move for the issuance of a hold departure order (HDO) to ensure the accused remain in the country during the pendency of the case.
Martinez said that the arrest warrants may be served by any law enforcement agency, depending on where the accused are located.
“As a matter of procedure, they will serve the warrant at the accused’s last known address,” he said.
Martinez also said that the court did not issue a separate written resolution detailing its finding of probable cause.
He explained that while judges are required under the Rules of Court to independently determine probable cause, courts do not ordinarily issue a separate resolution once a warrant of arrest is issued.
“We can say that the judge agreed with the findings of the prosecutors in the resolution,” he said.
In December 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) had 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. —with Sandra Aguinaldo and Mariel Celine Serquiña/KG/VBL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
