Following extensive investigations, families of missing sabungeros filed a complaint against businessman Atong Ang with the DOJ on Friday August 1, 2025.
Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, identified Atong as the alleged mastermind behind the disappearance of the sabungeros.
Several complainants confirmed that actress Gretchen Barreto and former National Capital Region Police Office chief, retired Police General Jonnel Estomo, were among the individuals involved in the complaint.
Atong, Barretto, and Estomo have assuredly denied any involvement in the abduction of the cockfighters.
Ryan Bautista, the brother of the missing sabungero Michael Bautista, said they filed a complaint for serious illegal detention and multiple murder, among others.
Ryan said : “Masaya po kami kasi makakapag-file po kami ng kaso, para kila Atong Ang po at mga kasama.””
Charlene Lasco, the sister of the missing sabungero Ricardo Lasco, also named Atong and other individuals as the respondents in their complaint.
“Ang mga kinasuhan po namin syempre ‘yung aming matagal na talagang hinala, si Mr. Atong Ang” Charlene stated.
Patidongan has linked both Atong and actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearance of 34 sabungeros from 2021 to 2022. However, both Ang and Barretto have intensely denied these allegations.
Atong revealed that Patidongan had threatened to link him to the disappearance of sabungeros if he refused to pay P300 million. Barretto verified this by stating that she had also received a similar threat.
