Malaca±ang: Malaca±ang on Wednesday assured the public that there will be no special treatment in the case of businessman Charlie 'Atong' Ang, who is facing multiple charges in connection with the missing 'sabungeros' (cockfight aficionados).
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. always insists that cases should be filed based on solid evidence. Castro stated, "Ang nais naman lagi ng Pangulo ay dapat kung magsasampa ng kaso ito ay naaayon sa ebidensiya" ("The President always wants that if a case is filed, it should be based on evidence). She further elaborated that the President does not favor hasty investigations without solid evidence, as such actions could harm innocent people. "That's why we say again, unlike others, the President wants only evidence to be used, not rushed actions," Castro added.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday found prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict Ang for 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide and 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention over the sabungeros' disappearance. Additionally, twenty-one other respondents are also facing 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide, while 10 others, as well as unidentified policemen, were charged with 16 counts of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.
When asked about public concerns over possible special treatment for Ang, Castro said Ang's case now lies in the court's hands. She noted, "On the part of the DOJ, mayroon po silang resolution mismo - resolution na nagpapakita ng prima facie evidence na mayroong reasonable certainty of conviction" (On the part of the DOJ, they have a resolution - a resolution that shows prima facie evidence with a reasonable certainty of conviction). Castro emphasized that the matter is now in the court's domain, and any speculation about special treatment would be inappropriate. "So, special treatment from the court? We cannot say that, we cannot speculate on that," she concluded.
