MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the criminal cases involving personalities linked to the alleged disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts known as “sabungeros” have been transferred to courts in Quezon City.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the transfer covered three cases for kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention involving businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and other respondents.

“Pursuant to a resolution of the Supreme Court (SC) En Banc, the venue of the three cases for kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention involving Atong Ang and others has been transferred from the Regional Trial Courts of Sta. Cruz, Laguna; San Pablo City, Laguna; and Lipa City, Batangas, to the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City,” Martinez said in a message to reporters.

He added that the transfer was approved upon the request of prosecutors due to security concerns and the sensitive nature of the cases.

“in view of security considerations and the sensitive nature of the cases,” Martinez said.

Martinez also said the Supreme Court issued its resolution on Feb. 5, 2026, and that the three cases were later raffled to different branches of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

“Accordingly, each branch issued its respective notice to the parties on different dates between April and May, based on its own schedule,” he said.

Meanwhile, last week, five families involved in the missing persons cases filed a complaint for obstruction of justice before the DOJ against a lawyer of Ang and three others.

Complainant Charlene Lasco accused Ang’s lawyer, Caroline Cruz, and three others of allegedly attempting to influence witnesses to change their testimonies.

Lasco said the alleged actions were aimed at persuading families of the missing sabungeros to shift positions in the case.

The bodies of the missing sabungeros, according to a whistleblower, were allegedly dumped in Taal Lake in Batangas.