THE Department of Justice (DOJ) said it has ordered the transfer of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention cases filed against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and several co-accused to the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City.
DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez said on Thursday that the transfer was granted upon motion of the panel of prosecutors, who raised concerns over the handling and security requirements of the high-profile cases.
The cases were previously raffled to RTC branches in Santa Cruz, San Pablo City and Lipa City in Region 4A (Calabarzon) before being centralized for trial in Quezon City.
The complaints are linked to the 2021–2022 “sabungero” disappearance cases involving dozens of cockfighting enthusiasts reported missing across Luzon.
Prosecutors earlier found probable cause to charge Ang and several others in connection with alleged kidnapping operations that authorities believe may have resulted in the deaths of multiple victims.
The charges cover multiple counts of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention against more than 20 respondents, including civilians and alleged members of law enforcement agencies. The cases had initially been distributed across several regional trial courts before being consolidated because of security and case management considerations.
Investigators based their findings on whistleblower accounts and testimonial evidence presented during preliminary proceedings, which pointed to an alleged organized system behind the disappearances. Some statements submitted to prosecutors claimed that victims were abducted and later killed, though these allegations remain subject to court evaluation and have not been proven.
Ang has denied the accusations and has filed legal remedies before the courts to challenge the complaints. His camp has maintained that there is no sufficient evidence linking him to the alleged criminal acts.
Warrants of arrest have been issued against Ang, who remains at large.
Under Philippine criminal procedure, venue transfers in high-profile cases may be ordered when courts determine that safety, witness security or the integrity of proceedings could be compromised if the case remains in its original jurisdiction.
