Aguirre confirms meeting Atong Ang at DOJ

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has confirmed he had a meeting with gambling operator Charlie “Atong” Ang at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Ang, together with his lawyer, arrived at the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) office of the secretary around 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Aguirre said the visit was a courtesy call.

“Ang made the brief courtesy call, accompanied by his lawyer primarily to express his full support to the Duterte administration’s crusade against any form of illegal gambling and to clear some issues that brought about some misunderstandings in the past,” Aguirre said in a statement.

Aguirre and Ang had traded barbs early this year. Ang, who operates the Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation, claimed that Aguirre and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. are among the persons who wanted him dead and eliminate his gambling businesses to push further their interest in small town lottery operations.

READ: Aguirre wants Atong Ang probed for possible tax evasion

Aguirre, on the other hand, said Ang has planned to stage an ambush to himself last May and pin the blame on the justice secretary. However, no ambush ever took place. Aguirre said he prevented it from happening when he made the revelation to the media.

READ: Aguirre orders probe on alleged plot to kill Atong Ang

Sources said the courtesy call took almost two hours. JPV