THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is planning to offer a P10-million reward for information leading to the arrest of businessman Atong Ang, who is wanted on arrest warrants related to the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts (sabungeros).
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the planned reward, stating that officials intend to formally announce it later this afternoon as a means of pressuring Ang to surrender to authorities. “Later we will have a meeting and we will give a reward and we will announce it this afternoon to really put pressure on him to turn himself in to us,” Remulla said in an interview. “Maybe P10 million is enough.”
According to Remulla, the DILG believes Ang remains in the Philippines, with authorities focusing their search efforts in the Luzon area. He cited information from Ang’s lawyer, who reportedly saw him signing papers just hours before the arrest warrants were issued.
Remulla also characterized Ang as “armed and dangerous,” citing the allegations against him involving the deaths of over a hundred people and the fact that he is typically surrounded by numerous bodyguards. He stated that authorities are prepared for any eventuality, including the possibility that Ang may resist arrest.
Earlier in the day, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that it has intensified monitoring at airports and seaports nationwide to prevent Ang from potentially fleeing the country. PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered closer coordination with immigration authorities as part of the ongoing manhunt. Nartatez urged Ang to surrender, stating, “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.”
Ang is among 18 individuals facing arrest warrants in connection with the disappearance of the cockfight enthusiasts. He faces 15 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention and four counts of kidnapping with homicide, according to the PNP.
