Atong Ang’s lawyer asks DOJ to junk obstruction of justice complaint over payoff claims

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) divers conduct diving operations in Taal Lake, Batangas on July 12, 2025 to search for the remains of the 34 missing sabungeros allegedly dumped in the lake. (Courtesy of PCG)

Lawyer Caroline Cruz, legal counsel for Charlie “Atong” Ang, has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to dismiss the obstruction of justice compliant filed against her in connection with the allegations that she gave money to relatives of the missing sabungeros.

While admitting that she indeed met with some of the relatives of the missing sabungeros, Cruz claimed that she was wrongfully charged since the arguments raised in the complaint that the money was aimed at influencing the non-bailable cases against Ang are baseless.

The DOJ is currently conducting investigation into the matter.

Cruz’s legal counsel Isabella Sabio said her client only accommodated the missing sabungeros relatives who were allegedly the ones who set the meetings in March and April this year.

“Attorney Carol’s meetings with the relatives of the victims happened because they asked for them. It is an undeniable fact. To say that a payoff ensued on those encounters is not only preposterous but also a product of a sinful imagination, which must be legally proven by the complainants,” she said.

Earlier, a group of missing sabungeros relatives filed a complaint against Cruz and at least three others after she allegedly gave them money during a meeting. Among those charged of obstruction of justice were two relatives of a missing sabungero.

The missing sabungeros relatives held a press conference at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) on May 20 as they also claimed that at least two police officials are in cahoots with Ang.

They claimed that the money was intended to influence their determination to run after Ang who is currently on the run after at least two courts issued arrest warrants against him in relation to the disappearance of more than 30 sabungeros.

For Sabio, her client Cruz was a victim of malicious and false accusations made by the complainants based on lies and a twisted narration of facts.

“My client does not deny giving financial aid to the victims’ families during those meetings, for their fare and food, as they all came a long way. She only obliged out of the goodness of her heart,” Sabio said.

She, however, said that her client did not ask for anything in return, adding that there were no documents, no agreements signed nor demands made when she gave the financial aid to the victims’ families.

“We have evidence to prove this. No less than the counter-affidavits of the other victims’ relatives present in those meetings corroborate the assertions made by my client as to what really transpired during those encounters,” Sabio said.

Two of Cruz’s co-accused also filed counter-affidavit in relation to the case. The two are members of a family of one of the missing sabungeros. — Aaron Recuenco