Lawyer hits alleged premature arrest warrant against Ang

National

THE lawyer of businessman Atong Ang has assailed the issuance of a warrant of arrest by a Laguna court, calling it premature and a violation of his client’s constitutional right to due process.

In a statement released Wednesday, Jan. 14, Ang’s counsel, Gabriel Villareal, said the court failed to observe the standards required in determining probable cause before ordering his client’s arrest.

In a report by Philstar, Villareal argued that the warrant was issued based on incomplete and one-sided submissions from the Department of Justice (DOJ), without full consideration of the evidence presented by the defense. He stressed that the court had yet to review the counter-affidavits and other exculpatory evidence submitted on behalf of Ang and the other respondents.

According to the lawyer, the absence of these materials undermines the validity of the court’s determination, as judges are expected to independently evaluate all relevant records before issuing a warrant of arrest.

Villareal also questioned the factual basis of the case, saying there is no physical evidence directly linking Ang to the alleged disappearances at the center of the complaint.

He claimed the accusations rest largely on a hastily constructed narrative rather than substantiated proof.

The defense maintained that conclusions were drawn prematurely, without the benefit of a full and balanced review of the facts.

Villareal said this not only prejudices the respondents but also weakens the integrity of the judicial process.

He emphasized that due process requires a careful and

impartial assessment of both incriminating and exculpatory evidence, especially in high-profile cases that carry serious legal consequences.

While the lawyer did not disclose the specific legal steps they intend to take, he indicated that Ang would continue to assert his rights and avail of all remedies under the law to challenge the arrest order.(Victoria Diana, USJ-R Comm Intern)