Wife of Emil Sumangil Appeals for Prayers Amid Growing Safety Concerns
MICHELLE SUMANGIL – The wife of 24 Oras anchor and veteran journalist Emil Sumangil made a heartfelt appeal on the night of July 4, asking for prayers and support for her husband. This came after Emil aired a series of reports about the mysterious disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros).
Michelle expressed her gratitude on social media, saying, “We would like to thank the netizens who first initiated and called for the safety and protection of my husband, Emil Sumangil. Your concern, prayers, and vigilance brought light and strength to us during this time.” She also posted a short prayer asking for God’s protection over Emil, quoting the verse: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper…” – Isaiah 54:17.
Concern over Emil’s safety began after he conducted in-depth interviews with whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, also known as Alias Totoy, who claimed to know what happened to the missing sabungeros who vanished starting in January 2022. Patidongan’s statements were featured in GMA-7’s 24 Oras and other news programs. In his claims, he named gambling businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang as the alleged mastermind behind the case. He also mentioned actress Gretchen Barretto and some members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In response, Atong Ang held a press conference on July 3, 2025, accusing GMA Integrated News of biased reporting. He claimed the network aired the allegations without getting his side first. “Gawin ninyong fair lang,” Ang said. “Dapat tinanong muna nila. Binabalanse bago sila maglabas. Parang one-sided, e.” GMA later explained that they attempted to contact Ang’s camp but received a response only after the report had aired.
Since then, Emil’s supporters have taken to social media, calling on authorities to protect him. Many have praised his courage and dedication to the truth. Hashtags such as #ProtectEmilSumangil, #CoverHimInPrayer, and #JournalismWithCourage continue to trend online.