A new wave of controversy has erupted in the unresolved case of 34 missing cockfighting enthusiasts, as social media personality Xian Gaza has directly implicated gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang in their disappearance.
In a fiery live broadcast that has since gone viral, Gaza didn’t mince words:
“If Atong Ang is truly involved, he must be held accountable. This is no longer just about gambling—this is about the lives of 34 individuals, including two minors.”
Gaza’s statement followed an exclusive GMA interview by journalist Emil Sumangil, where one of the suspects in the case delivered a grim confirmation:
“They’re all dead.”
It was the first time anyone linked to the investigation publicly confirmed the victims’ deaths—two years after families began a tireless search for answers.
The 34 individuals were last seen between 2021 and 2022, many of them entering various cockpits or working with online “e-sabong” platforms before vanishing without a trace. Despite numerous Senate hearings, media probes, and public outcry, the investigation has largely remained stagnant.
Now, Gaza has thrown fuel into the fire, claiming that the person who profited most from the rise of e-sabong was none other than Ang.
“If these men died because of a power struggle, unpaid debts, or betrayal within the e-sabong world, we cannot ignore the big names,” Gaza said.
“This is not solid proof, but the authorities must investigate Atong Ang thoroughly and impartially.”
Ang is no stranger to controversy. Long known as a major gambling operator, he was previously linked to illegal numbers game “jueteng” and played a role in the high-profile plunder case of former President Joseph Estrada in 2001. More recently, he became a central figure in the now-suspended online cockfighting industry—a sector shut down by the Philippine government amid growing concerns over violence and disappearances.
Although Ang has consistently denied involvement in any criminal activity and has never been officially named in connection with the missing cockfighters, Gaza’s public accusations—and the chilling suspect testimony—have reignited demands for justice.
Families of the victims are now calling on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to step in and personally oversee the investigation. Lawmakers and human rights groups are also reportedly pushing for the Senate to reopen the probe.
As the case regains national attention, a familiar question is once again being asked:
Is this the breakthrough that will finally bring justice to the missing 34—or just another chapter of silence, fear, and unchecked power?