FACT CHECK: Atong Ang not sentenced to death over missing sabungeros case

2026-01-28 - 05:41

Claim: Gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang has been arrested and sentenced to death by hanging over his alleged role in the case of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting aficionados). Rating: FALSE Why we fact-checked this: The video, posted on January 17 by a channel named “TRENDING PINAS NEWS,” bears the title: “Kakapasok lang! Atong Ang naiyak; huli na, bitay ang hatol.” (Just in! Atong Ang in tears; caught at last, sentenced to death by hanging.) The video’s thumbnail shows Ang behind bars and another of him handcuffed by police, while the narration recounts his alleged role in the disappearance of the sabungeros. The video surfaced after a Laguna trial court ordered Ang’s arrest through a warrant made public on January 14. As of writing, the video has garnered more than 11,000 views and 287 likes. The facts: Ang remains at large, contrary to the claim. While he faces charges of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention, he has not yet undergone trial, and no court sentence has been issued against him in this case. Moreover, the death penalty was abolished in the Philippines in 2006 under Republic Act No. 9346 and has not been reinstated. No court has the authority to issue such a sentence, regardless of the gravity of the offense. The video’s narration does not mention Ang being found or sentenced to death, contradicting the claim found on its title and thumbnail, which relies on sensational language for clickbait. ‘Most wanted’: In 2022, at least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts vanished without a trace, triggering one of the most high-profile missing persons investigations in recent Philippine history. (WATCH: Atong Ang and the tale of missing sabungeros) Ang was first implicated in the case because he owns Lucky 8 Star Quest, the operator of cockfighting arenas where some of the missing sabungeros were last seen. Ang’s former employee, Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, accused the gambling tycoon of being the alleged mastermind behind the mysterious disappearances. Prosecutors from the Department of Justice later found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict or charge Ang and other co-accused in connection with the disappearances. Ang is currently at large, while his other co-accused are already under police custody. A nationwide manhunt has been launched for Ang, tagged as the country’s “most wanted criminal,” with a P10-million reward offered for information leading to his arrest. (WATCH: Order in the Court: Why will it be hard to keep Atong Ang in jail?) Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Philippine National Police has deployed personnel to Cambodia to verify Ang’s alleged presence there. – Cyril Bocar/Rappler.com Efren Cyril Bocar is a journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar who graduated with a degree in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. Cyril is also a graduate of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024. Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.