MANILA — Only two family members of missing cockfighting enthusiasts, or “sabungeros,” attended Friday’s hearing on the criminal cases against fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and several others accused over the disappearance of dozens of sabungeros.

In a report, it said that the hearing marked the first time the cases were heard before a Quezon City court after being transferred from the Regional Trial Courts of Sta. Cruz and San Pablo City in Laguna, and Lipa City in Batangas.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court is now handling the cases for kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention.

Present during the proceedings were Diane Loyola and Teresa Japag, partners of missing sabungeros Ferdinand Dizon and Nerio Antecristo, respectively. The other 17 complainants who had filed charges before the Sta. Cruz court did not attend.

The Supreme Court En Banc earlier approved the transfer of the cases upon the request of the panel of prosecutors, citing security concerns and the sensitive nature of the proceedings.

Loyola said the transfer has made it easier for them to attend court hearings.

“Mas madali na po sa aming pumunta dito, medyo malapit na po kaysa sa Sta. Cruz,” she said.

She also said she has lost contact with some of the other complainants.

“Hindi ko na sigurado doon sa iba kasi nga nagkaroon na ng payroll sila. Hindi ko sure kung makakapunta sila kasi actually wala na rin kaming communication,” Loyola added.

Loyola had previously alleged that representatives of Ang had attempted to convince complainants to withdraw their support for the case and stop attending court hearings.

Despite the absence of the other complainants, Loyola said she remains committed to pursuing the case.

“Hindi na po sila nakikipag-usap sa amin. Siguro iyon na po talaga ang desisyon nila, hindi naman na po namin mababago. Pero kami pong natitira, patuloy po kaming lalaban,” she said.

Loyola also opposed the petitions for bail filed by several police officers and security personnel facing charges in the case.

“Sana hindi maaprubahan ‘yung bail nila kasi kapag nakapag-bail sila, baka umpisa na ‘yon na humina lalo ‘yong kaso,” she said.

Friday’s hearing focused on the pending bail motions filed by the accused. Their legal counsel declined to comment, citing a gag order issued by the court.

State witness Elakim Patidongan also appeared during the proceedings wearing a helmet and a bulletproof vest. The Philippine National Police previously identified him through closed-circuit television footage as the individual who allegedly withdrew money from the bank account of one of the victims, Melbert John Santos.

Ang remains at large. His lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, attended the hearing on his behalf.

The case involves the disappearance of dozens of sabungeros who were last seen between 2021 and 2022. Several police officers, security personnel, and other individuals have been charged in connection with the incidents.