MANILA — The government has raised to ₱20 million the reward for information leading to the arrest of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, doubling the previous bounty as authorities escalate efforts to track him down over the high-profile disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the increased reward during a press briefing on Thursday, signaling a more aggressive push to secure Ang’s arrest amid mounting public pressure to resolve the controversial case involving missing sabungeros.
“We are increasing the bounty for Atong Ang to P20 million for information leading to his arrest,” Remulla said.
Ang and several others are facing arrest warrants for multiple charges, including kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention, in connection with the disappearance of the cockfighting bettors.
In a further escalation, Philippine authorities have initiated moves to secure an Interpol red notice against Ang. Under Interpol guidelines, a red notice is a global alert requesting law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally detain a person pending possible extradition or other legal action. Enforcement, however, remains subject to each member country’s domestic laws.
The development underscores the government’s intent to pursue Ang beyond Philippine jurisdiction if necessary.
Ang has denied the allegations. His legal counsel, Atty. Gabriel Villareal, earlier challenged the warrant issued by a Laguna court, describing it as legally deficient.
“Clearly, the court merely acted on the incomplete and one-sided information provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in its determination of probable cause, without having even seen the counter affidavits and exculpatory evidence of the respondents, including that of Mr. Ang,” Villareal said./PN
