Manila, Dec. 10 -- The government is seeking a Manila trial for the cases filed against businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang and 21 others in connection with the missing "sabungeros" (cockfight aficionados) case, the Department of Justice said Wednesday.

In a message to reporters, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said "there is a move (by the DOJ) to have the venues (of the cases) transferred to Manila."

Ten counts of kidnapping with homicide were filed Tuesday in three different courts -the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Lipa City; RTC-Sta. Cruz, Laguna; and RTC-San Pablo, Laguna.

Separate charges for kidnapping with serious illegal detention were also recommended by the DOJ against several individuals.

Martinez said the move to transfer the...