MANILA, Philippines — Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan on Thursday said fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, whom authorities suspect in connection with the disappearance and alleged killing of at least 19 cockfighting enthusiasts, may have already left the Philippines using means unknown to investigators.
Patidongan, a former aide of Ang who now serves as a state witness, issued the statement during an interview in Manila where he recounted his previous work for Ang and detailed his knowledge of the alleged operations linked to the missing “e-sabong” players.
He told investigators and media that he no longer knew Ang’s exact whereabouts and that he based his belief on Ang’s alleged access to resources and connections that could facilitate travel outside the country.
Patidongan said he decided to cooperate with authorities after the series of disappearances of cockfighting aficionados, which police and families of the victims reported between 2021 and 2022 in several areas across Luzon.
He said he previously worked closely with Ang in activities related to online cockfighting operations, also known as “e-sabong,” before he approached law enforcement and agreed to testify under the government’s witness protection framework.
Law enforcement officials earlier tagged Ang as a key figure in the investigation into the missing cockfighting enthusiasts, and they identified him as a fugitive after he failed to appear before authorities and ignored subpoenas related to the probe.
Police investigators said they continued to track Ang’s movements and to coordinate with other agencies for possible leads, while they examined immigration and travel records to determine whether he used legal channels to depart the country.
The Department of Justice said prosecutors relied on Patidongan’s statements and other testimonial and documentary evidence as they evaluated possible charges against Ang and other suspects linked to the disappearances.
Officials from the Philippine National Police said they maintained coordination with the Bureau of Immigration and international police organizations to locate Ang and to issue alerts at ports of entry and exit in case he attempted to travel under a different identity.
Authorities said families of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts continued to press for updates on the investigation and sought confirmation on whether Ang’s possible departure from the Philippines could affect efforts to file and pursue criminal cases.
Investigators said they treated Patidongan as a vital witness in reconstructing the events leading to the reported abductions of at least 19 individuals who participated in cockfighting events and online betting operations.
The Senate and the House of Representatives earlier conducted inquiries into the disappearance of the cockfighting enthusiasts, and legislators asked security agencies and regulators to explain how operators and alleged masterminds, including Ang, ran e-sabong activities and moved funds.
