MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an intensified nationwide manhunt for businessman Atong Ang, former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag, and former police officer Rafael Dumlao III after Interpol issued red notices against the three high-profile fugitives.
PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said all regional manhunt operation teams across the country have been activated following an emergency conference over the weekend prompted by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s announcement on the issuance of the international notices.
“In-activate po ang lahat sa mga manhunt operations team po natin sa buong regional offices nationwide para po i-intensify ‘yun pong sinasabi natin na pag-aresto sa mga nasabing indibiduwal,” Tuaño said.
Tuaño said authorities believe the three personalities remain inside the country based on intelligence information gathered by law enforcement agencies.
Interpol defines a red notice as a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a wanted individual pending extradition or other legal proceedings.
Ang is facing multiple charges of kidnapping with homicide and serious illegal detention over the disappearance of several sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts.
Authorities have offered a P20-million reward for information leading to his arrest.
The businessman has denied the accusations against him. Earlier reports said he was allegedly spotted in Cavite in April.
Meanwhile, Bantag remains wanted in connection with the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid and the death of alleged middleman Jun Villamor in 2022.
A Muntinlupa court issued an arrest warrant against Bantag in April 2023, but he has repeatedly denied involvement in the case.
The Department of Justice earlier announced a P2-million reward for information that could lead to Bantag’s arrest. Previous reports placed him in the Cordillera region.
Dumlao, on the other hand, is being hunted after the Court of Appeals reversed his acquittal in the 2016 kidnapping and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo.
The appellate court sentenced Dumlao to reclusion perpetua. Authorities are offering a P1-million reward for information leading to his arrest./PN
