00:00Authorities are moving forward in a high-profile case that has long drawn public attention.
00:05Recent developments have prompted intensified law enforcement action
00:08and renewed reactions from both investigators and those linked to the accused.
00:14Ryan Lesigues tells us more.
00:18The number of arrested suspects in the missing Sabongeros case has risen to 17,
00:23according to the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
00:26This comes after Branch 26 of Santa Cruz Regional Trial Court issued warrants of arrest against 18 accused,
00:33including alleged mastermind Charlie Atong Ang.
00:36We have received two warrants of arrest sa kaso ni Atong Ang.
00:43The warrants of arrest consists of five counts for kidnapping with homicide
00:49and another six counts na warrants of arrest for kidnapping and serious legal detention.
00:56According to CIDG Director, Police Major General Robert Alexander Morico,
01:00among the first to be arrested were nine police officers,
01:04all of them under restrictive custody even before the issuance of the warrants.
01:08The PNP is also in custody of seven of Ang's men, including some of his security guards.
01:14At present, operatives are conducting operations across various properties linked to Ang.
01:18The CIDG first proceeded to his residence in Pasig City.
01:22I asked Mr. Atong Ang to peacefully surrender na lang.
01:28We have several ongoing ngayon ng manhan.
01:32There are several properties niya po in Metro Manila as well as in Region 4A na ongoing yung pag-ano ng tao-taohan namin.
01:45So, it will be continuing.
01:49The PNP has also warned individuals who may attempt to arbor or obstruct the arrest of the accused.
01:54It is a local order coming from the court.
01:58Mga security guard po sa subdivision and the loons of bahay,
02:02anybody who will prevent us, we will be arresting you for obstruction of justice.
02:07The families of the victims expressed gratitude for the issuance of the warrants of arrest against Atong Ang and the 17 co-accused.
02:15Mga security guard po ay talagang hindi nawalan ng pag-asa at lalong nagsumikap para talagang magtyaga,
02:24mag-antay para makamit itong justice na to.
02:27Salamat sa mga tumulong at talagang kami ay natutuwa, lalo lalo na sa mga media,
02:34na talagang tinutukan itong kaso to upang ma-i-serve na itong warrant of arrest dito.
02:40Sana maipatupad sa lalong mas madaling panahon.
02:44The PNPC IDG believes that Atong Ang is still in the country.
02:48Meanwhile, the camp of Ang called the RTC's decision to arrest him premature.
02:53Ang's lawyer, Attorney Gabriel Villarreal, insisted that a court order is legally questionable
02:58because it failed to meet the constitutional requirement applicable to Ang.
03:02He also said that there is no physical evidence proving that Ang is involved
03:07other than the alleged accounts of Julie Patidongan, also known as Dondon.
03:11He is stressed to exhaust all legal remedies to challenge the arrest order
03:16against the business tycoon and cockfighting kingpin, Ryan Lisigues.
03:21From the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
Comments