Charlie "Atong" Ang, a well-known figure in the Philippine gaming industry and dubbed the "Cockfighting King," has been named by the Justice Minister Remulla as a subject of investigation in connection with several mysterious disappearances of cockfighting bettors. Facing the allegations, Ang held a press conference in Manila on July 3, vehemently denying any involvement, claiming that it was all "baseless slander" and accusing the complainant of attempting to extort him for 300 million pesos.
The case began with a man claiming to be "Totoy" who reported to the police that since 2021, about 100 individuals associated with cockfighting and online gambling had disappeared across the country, some suspected to have been dumped in the Taal Volcano lake. The complainant specifically named Ang as the mastermind behind the scenes, implicating an actress and several figures from the police and political spheres.
At the press conference, Ang responded, "I am merely a legitimate operator in the cockfighting gambling business, never involved in kidnapping or violence." He emphasized that the complainant had demanded an exorbitant hush money and tried to frame him.
Justice Minister Remulla confirmed that Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto are indeed within the scope of this investigation, and law enforcement has been instructed to gather all relevant evidence.
Philippine President Marcos Jr. has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation and the police to thoroughly investigate the case, promising to uncover the truth and bring justice to the victims' families. The case is still under investigation, and the allegations are yet to be officially verified, but the incident has drawn widespread attention due to its extensive involvement and serious nature.
