P10 million reward set for arrest of 'no. 1 most wanted' Atong Ang
Businessman Atong Ang is now at the center of a nationwide manhunt in connection with the case of missing sabungeros, with authorities offering a P10 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
In a press conference, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla now considers Ang as the "number one most wanted" in the Philippines due to how "dangerous" he is.
"Kasama po si Atong Ang siguro maituturing natin na number one most wanted sa buong Pilipinas ngayon. He’s accused of killing over 100 missing sabungeros, and he is considered armed and dangerous," he said.
"Kahit sabihin na na-cancel ang kanyang firearms, si Atong po ay bumibyahe nang hindi kumukulang ng dalawampu ang bodyguard lagi. Sanay po 'yan sa marahas na pagharap sa mga awtoridad. Sanay po 'yan sa marahas na paraan para masolusyonan ang kanyang mga problema," he added.
Remulla detailed that 320,000 members of the Philippine National Police are now participating in the manhunt against the businessman.
"Lahat ng paraan na kailangan gawin para kunin siya ay gagawin namin. Pero may guarantee po kami na walang EJK—wala pong extrajudicial killing na plano ang PNP," he assured.
He also added that a P10 million reward will be given to those who can provide any information leading to Ang's arrest.
"Ang DILG po ay naglalagay ng P10 million patong para sa kanyang aresto. Any information leading to the arrest, conclusive arrest of Atong Ang, will merit a P10-million peso reward, no questions asked basta ikaw ang nagbigay ng impormasyon leading directly to the arrest," Remulla said.
"Atong, mag-surrender ka na. Harapin mo ang hukom, at doon ka magpaliwanag. Ang pagtatago ay simbolo ng iyong hindi pagtanggap at pag-iwas sa mga paratang laban sa'yo. Ang advice ko sa'yo, surrender now peacefully and we will treat you with respect. If you become a fugitive, we will treat you like a fugitive," he underscored.
Asked if he considers the possibility that Ang may have escaped through backdoor means, Remulla believed that he is still within Luzon, as they have assets monitoring these backdoor areas.
Ang was ordered to be arrested by the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Jan. 14.
Ang and his co-accused were slapped with kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention raps a few weeks prior. According to the law, kidnapping with homicide is a non-bailable offense.
The Department of Justice formally filed the cases against Ang and his co-accused in late December after its panel of prosecutors found sufficient evidence to charge them earlier in the month. The DOJ filed complaints despite Ang’s pending motion for reconsideration filed last Dec. 12.
Missing sabungeros case
Whistleblower Dondon Patidongan tagged Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto as among the persons allegedly behind the abductions of missing sabungeros. He accused them, as well as Eric Dela Rosa and Celso Salazar, of being the masterminds in the case of not just 34 but over 100 missing sabungeros.
Patidongan, who said he has been working for Ang for 15 years as the chief of security of his farms and cockfight areas, alleged that Ang is the pit master's chairman. "Siya ang mastermind, at siya ang nag-uutos na talagang iligpit ang mga 'yan," he said in his interview with GMA's 24 Oras.
While he's one of the six accused in the case, Patidongan asserted that he was merely following orders from Ang.
He also claimed that Barretto was fully aware of Ang's operations in the cockfight arena.
Ang has denied Patidongan's accusations and filed cases against him and another whistleblower, Alan Bantiles, also known as "Brown," who had also tagged him in the case.
Barretto, through her legal counsel, also denied involvement in the case, noting she "has no relevant knowledge" about the disappearances. The DOJ has dismissed complaints against her due to insufficient evidence.
