MANILA — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is considering offering a P10-million cash reward to speed up the arrest of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, who is facing multiple arrest warrants over the high-profile missing sabungeros case, as authorities ramp up a nationwide manhunt and tighten exit controls.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the proposed bounty is under evaluation and could be formally announced to pressure Ang to surrender, amid intelligence assessments indicating he remains in the country.
He said law enforcement trackers believe Ang is still in Luzon, citing recent information that placed him locally shortly before arrest warrants were issued.
“Nandito pa siya kasi noong sabi nga ng abogado noong the day before ay kasama niya pa. Pumipirma ng mga papel bago lumabas ‘yung mga warrant of arrest a few hours later. So ang tracking namin nandito pa rin siya,” Remulla said in a radio interview.
Remulla described Ang as “armed and dangerous,” pointing to allegations linking him to the killing of more than a hundred individuals and to reports that he is constantly escorted by numerous armed bodyguards. He said authorities are preparing for all contingencies should Ang resist arrest.
“We consider him armed and dangerous. Sabi ng abogado niya iresponsible daw ang pagsasabi ko noon. Paano ang trato mo sa pumatay ng lagpas isang daan tao, na inutos ang pagpapatay ng lagpas isang daan tao, na ang bodyguard niya ay lagpas dalawampu, kada minuto kung sa kahit saan siya pumunta?” Remulla said.
“’Di ba armed and dangerous ‘yung ganun? Kaya kami, lahat ng eventuality pinaghahandaan namin na kung lalaban siya, hindi namin papalagpasin,” he added.
Earlier, the Philippine National Police announced tighter monitoring at airports and seaports nationwide to prevent Ang from leaving the country. PNP Acting Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered intensified coordination with immigration authorities as the dragnet widens.
“The most logical option for him is to surrender because the PNP is determined to comply with the arrest warrant issued by the court. If he is indeed innocent as he has been claiming, the more that he should be encouraged to surrender to face the accusations against him,” Nartatez said.
Ang is among 18 individuals charged in connection with the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts. Police said he faces 15 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention and four counts of kidnapping with homicide. The remaining 17 accused are already in police custody./PN
