P10M bounty offered for Atong Ang’s arrest

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is offering a ₱10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Charlie “Atong” Ang, who has been charged as the mastermind behind the kidnapping and murder of several cockfight enthusiasts, or “sabungeros,” in 2021.

Arrest Warrant Issued

Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the reward during a press briefing in Quezon City on Thursday. “Any information leading to the conclusive arrest of Atong Ang will merit a P10 million reward. No questions asked,” he said.

The Santa Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court Branch 26 issued a warrant for the arrest of Ang and 17 others on Wednesday, charging them with three counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and kidnapping with homicide. Ang also faces similar charges in San Pablo, Laguna, and Lipa, Batangas.

Manhunt Underway

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed tracker teams to locate and serve the arrest warrant in all identified locations. Authorities have also increased surveillance at all ports and exit points to prevent Ang from leaving the country.

Currently, 17 co-accused are in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). CIDG chief Police Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II has urged Ang to surrender.

Investigators found Ang was not at his Mandaluyong residence when officers attempted to serve the warrant.

Multiple Charges and Allegations

Ang is facing multiple arrest warrants for four counts of kidnapping with homicide, and several counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. These cases stem from the disappearances of over a hundred sabungeros in recent years, which led to the nationwide shutdown of e-sabong operations.

The accused include 10 active and former PNP personnel, and seven civilians. The 10 police officers are currently detained at Camp Crame.

Remulla stated that the PNP has mobilized its roughly 320,000 personnel nationwide to locate Ang, believing he remains in the country and is moving between safe houses. He cautioned anyone protecting Ang and advised him to surrender peacefully.

“My advice to him, Atong, surrender now,” Remulla said. “If you become a fugitive from the law, then we will treat you like a fugitive.” The government has requested a hold departure order from the Bureau of Immigration and initiated the process for an Interpol Red Notice.

Asset Tracking and Bribery Attempts

Authorities are coordinating with the Anti-Money Laundering Council to track and potentially freeze Ang’s assets. Officials acknowledge Ang’s wealth presents a challenge to his capture, as his network allegedly earned as much as P1 billion a day during the height of e-sabong operations.

Remulla revealed that six firearms registered in Ang’s name have been revoked, but investigators believe he can acquire more weapons. He described Ang as a “poor man with a lot of money” who historically travels with as many as 20 armed bodyguards, often former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents.

Remulla disclosed that he and his brother, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, rejected two separate P1-billion bribe attempts over the past two weeks from individuals linked to Ang, allegedly intended to influence a flood control case and were reported to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Legal Challenges

Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, has assailed the Laguna court’s decision to issue the arrest warrant as premature, claiming it failed to meet constitutional requirements and relied on incomplete information from the DOJ. Villareal stated they will exhaust all legal remedies to challenge the order and maintain Ang’s innocence, alleging that self-confessed whistleblower Julie Patidongan is the real mastermind.