MANILA — A Batangas court has issued a warrant of arrest against tycoon Atong Ang and 20 others in connection with the disappearance of several sabungeros.

In an order dated January 15, the Lipa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 13 directed the arrest of Ang and 20 individuals for six counts of kidnapping with homicide. The charges are non-bailable.

The other individuals named in the warrant include Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa, Alfredo Uy Andes, Henry Samar Sasaluya, Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz, Angel Joseph Ferro Martin, Joey Natanauan Encarnacion (alias Enca), Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan, Michael Jaictin Claveria (alias Mike Claveria), Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio, Philip Simborio Almedilla, Arturo Opalla Dela Cruz Jr., Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique, Anderson Orozco Abary, Edmon Hernandez Munoz, Rogelio Teodoso Borican Jr., Rodel Antipuesto Anig-Ig, Mark Carlo Evangelista Zabala, Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum, Emman Cayunda Falle, and Julios Tagalog Gumolon.

On January 14, the Sta. Cruz, Laguna RTC Branch 26 also issued arrest warrants against Ang and 17 others for kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention. The 17 others, who are also implicated in the Lipa case, are currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

This leaves Ang as the only accused still at large. His lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, said they will exhaust all available legal remedies.

However, Department of Justice officials said in a January 15 press briefing that, citing a Supreme Court ruling, Ang must first be within the court’s jurisdiction before he can seek judicial relief.

“The only way that the court can act on it is kung halimbawa si Mr. Charlie Atong Ang ay mahuli o kusang sumuko (The only way that the court can act on it is if Mr. Charlie Atong Ang is arrested or voluntarily surrenders),” Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said.