MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) said courts handling the cases involving missing sabungeros have yet to issue warrants of arrest against 22 individuals, including businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang.

“As of yesterday (Jan. 5), wala pa (there is no) warrant issued by the court,” DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez told reporters.

Last month, the DOJ said a panel of prosecutors found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict Ang and 21 other respondents on 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide.

The charges were filed before the Regional Trial Courts of Lipa City, Batangas, and Sta. Cruz and San Pablo in Laguna.

Also charged were Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa, Rogelio Borican Jr., Rodelo Anig-ig, Mark Carlo Zabala, Ronquillo Anding, Police Senior Master Sergeant Joey Natanauan Encarnacion, Executive Senior Master Sergeant Aaron Cabillan, Master Sergeant Michael Jaictin Claveria, Senior Master Sergeant Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, Police Senior Master Sergeant Anderson Orozco Abary, Staff Sgt. Edmon Hernandez Muñoz, Maj. Philip Almedilla, Lt. Henry Sasaluya, Chief Master Sgt. Arturo Dela Cruz, Police Senior Master Sergeant Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz, Senior Staff Sgt. Alfredo Uy Andes, Corporal Angel Joseph Martin, Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum, Emman Cayunda Falle, Julious Tagalog Gumulon, and Police Senior Master Sergeant Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio.

Indicted for kidnapping with serious illegal detention were Orapa, Claveria, Anig-ig, Borican, Andes, Almedilla, Encarnacion, Cabillan, and several John Does.

Martinez said the panel of prosecutors will review the motion for reconsideration filed by the victims’ relatives against those who were not indicted, noting that the prosecutors “will look into the merits of the parties’ arguments.”

The victims’ families have sought the indictment of several individuals for the special complex crime of kidnapping with homicide and serious illegal detention.

Those named include actress Gretchen Barretto, Eric Dela Rosa, engineer Celso Salazar, Mayor Arjay Mea, Willia Ang, Lornalee Vingson, Richard Perez, Arman Santos, Jojo Cruz, John Capinpin, Angelito Guerra, Tady Pala, Joey delos Santos, retired police official Jonnel Estomo, Col. Jacinto Malinao Jr., Hanz Florez, Ronquillo Anding, Roberto Matillano, Virgilio Bayog, Johnry Consolacion, Victorino Jocosol, Edwin Tose, Allan Siaco, and Kate Villalon.

The victims’ relatives said whistleblower Dondon Patidongan’s statement “establishes prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction that the respondents conspired to commit the special complex crime of kidnapping with homicide grouped by their roles.”