P10-M bounty set for Atong Ang’s arrest in sabungeros case

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has offered a P10-million reward for the arrest of gaming tycoon Atong Ang, who is facing kidnapping charges over the disappearance of cockfighting aficionados, or sabungeros.

“The DILG will be placing a P10 million reward for his arrest,” Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in Filipino during a press briefing in Quezon City on Thursday.

“Any information leading to the conclusive arrest of Atong Ang will merit a P10 million reward. No questions asked,” he added.

Remulla detailed that the reward will be sourced from the DILG’s intelligence fund.

READ: Manhunt on for Atong Ang in ‘sabungeros’ case

The Santa Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court, Branch 26, on Wednesday released a warrant for the arrest of Ang and 17 others on kidnapping charges in connection with the disappearance of cockfighting aficionados, or sabungeros.

Ang is the lone accused still at large after his 17 co-accused were arrested and taken into the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) later on Wednesday.

“We can consider him now as the number one most wanted person in the entirety of the Philippines,” Remulla said in Filipino.

At the briefing, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II shared that authorities attempted to serve Ang’s warrant at his properties in Pasig City; Mandaluyong City; Lipa City, Batangas; and Sinoloan, Laguna, all of which yielded negative results.

The interior secretary further claimed that Ang always travelled with an entourage of at least 20 bodyguards.

“If I were Atong, don’t trust your bodyguards. One of them will sell you out,” Remulla said.

Asked whether they were coordinating with the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze Ang’s assets to prevent a possible counter-offer to protect him, Remulla said that was the purview of the Department of Justice.

However, Villareal has previously challenged the court order to arrest the gaming tycoon, saying the directive was premature and legally questionable. /jpv