MISSING SABUNGEROS

Ang files counter-raps alleging ₱300M extortion

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Thursday, July 3, that businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto will be included as suspects in the high-profile case of missing cockfighting aficionados, or “sabungeros.” This development follows the recent testimony of Julie “Dondon” Paditongan, a former security chief in Ang’s cockfight arenas, who publicly tagged Ang as the mastermind and linked Barretto to the disappearances.

“They will be included. Because they were named, then we will have to include them as suspects,” Remulla stated in an interview, adding that formal cases would be filed against them “sooner than later” after evaluation by a group of fiscals to ensure proper charges based on provable elements of the crime.

Paditongan’s allegations

Paditongan, also known by his alias “Totoy,” decided to reveal his true identity, claiming various accusations were being leveled against him. He is among six individuals already charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of over 100 sabungeros between 2021 and 2022.

In an exclusive interview with GMA-7’s “24 Oras” on Wednesday, July 2, Paditongan named Ang, Eric dela Rosa, and Engineer Celso Salazar as the alleged masterminds. He asserted that Ang, as the chairman of Pitmaster, was the “main mastermind” who allegedly ordered the “disposal” of the missing individuals. Paditongan also directly implicated Gretchen Barretto, stating she was “100% involved because she is always with Mr. Atong Ang,” and urged her to cooperate.

Atong Ang files criminal complaints, alleges extortion

In a swift counter-move, gaming tycoon Atong Ang, accompanied by his lawyer Lorna Kapunan, filed multiple criminal complaints on Thursday, July 3, against Julie Paditongan and his former employee Alan Batiles (also known as Brown) before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor’s Office.

Ang’s complaints stem from what he described as “calculated and persistent efforts” by Paditongan and Batiles to unlawfully obtain ₱300 million from him between February and June 2025. Despite having no legal or contractual basis for the demand, Ang alleged that the pair continued to make escalating threats.

The charges filed by Ang include:

• Conspiracy to commit attempted robbery with violence or intimidation of persons
• Grave threats
• Grave coercion
• Grave slander
• Incriminating innocent persons

At a press conference, Ang vehemently denied Paditongan’s allegations, calling them “entirely false, baseless, and malicious.” He urged Paditongan to “stop lying,” stating, “I treated you like my son, I didn’t know you were so evil. You would even kill me, kidnap me.”

Ang claimed that Paditongan and Batiles threatened to falsely link him to the disappearance and alleged murder of the missing sabungeros if he did not meet their demands. In his complaint-affidavit, Ang cited a phone conversation on June 20, 2025, where Paditongan allegedly made this threat. He argued that being falsely accused of such capital crimes threatens his liberty and safety and causes “irreversible reputational damage.”

Ang further alleged grave coercion, stating he was compelled against his will to pay through a series of phone calls, which intensified when Paditongan followed through by submitting a sworn statement implicating him.

The charges of grave slander and incriminating innocent persons were filed in response to a June 17 televised interview on GMA-7 where Paditongan, using the alias “Totoy,” made public insinuations about unnamed “masterminds” that Ang argued clearly pointed to him. Ang added that Paditongan reinforced public speculation by mentioning a “female celebrity” on June 26, widely interpreted to refer to Gretchen Barretto.

Ang’s lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, reiterated that Paditongan allegedly demanded ₱300 million from Ang in exchange for recanting his testimony. Ang has requested authorities to investigate the alleged extortion attempt and prosecute those involved in spreading what he considers damaging lies.