Published on: February 2, 2026, 06:39h.
Updated on: February 2, 2026, 06:39h.
- Authorities search for tycoon Atong Ang linked to vanished sabungeros
- Thirty-four online cockfighting fans went missing between 2021 and 2022
- E-sabong controversy renews attention on Ang’s complicated history
A nationwide search is in progress in the Philippines for gambling mogul Charlie “Atong” Ang, who is sought in connection with the unexplained disappearance of 34 online cockfighting fans, referred to as “sabungeros.”
Last month, courts in Laguna and Batangas issued multiple non-bailable warrants for Ang, with charges including kidnapping with homicide and serious illegal detention related to the vanishings.
However, Ang, the operator of the e-sabong (online cockfighting) enterprise Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., has gone underground. The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported this week that they are actively pursuing the fugitive and collaborating with law enforcement in Cambodia, where they suspect he may be hiding. Immigration authorities have indicated that there is no record of Ang leaving through official checkpoints.
Possible Motives: Bout-Rigging?
The missing individuals disappeared from Manila and nearby provinces during 2021 and 2022. They were primarily gamefowl handlers, aides, helpers, or drivers involved in the e-sabong sector, which consists of live-streamed cockfighting events for betting. Allegations suggest that they might have been engaged in manipulating fights to benefit gambling syndicates.
A significant portion of the allegations against Ang is based on the testimony of Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, a former security chief who is also implicated and has agreed to become a government witness. He informed prosecutors that the sabungeros were allegedly murdered on Ang’s orders as a warning against bout-rigging, which threatens the financial success of the cockfighting industry.
The Philippine Department of Justice has declared that they found sufficient preliminary evidence to advance charges. Ang has claimed innocence, stating he is being victimized, and his legal representatives contest the reliability of crucial witnesses.
In 2022, e-sabong was banned throughout the Philippines due to public outcry over the mysterious disappearances.
Influential Connections
Ang has been a divisive character in the Philippines for many years. In the 1990s, he had close ties with then-President Joseph Estrada, who later faced impeachment over corruption allegations and misappropriation of public funds.
At that time, Ang was associated with “jueteng,” an illegal numbers game popular in the Philippines. Despite this, Estrada appointed Ang as a consultant for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), purportedly to help tackle illegal gambling, although critics argued that it allowed Ang to enhance his influence in the industry.
In October 2000, Estrada was publicly accused of accepting over ₱400 million (approximately US$7 million) in bribes from jueteng and other illicit activities. Ang was identified as the intermediary who collected and delivered these illegal payments.
Ang was charged alongside Estrada and initially fled the country but was later apprehended in 2001 while gambling at a Las Vegas casino. He was subsequently extradited back to the Philippines, where he completed prison time.