Atong Ang's firearms licenses revoked — PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has revoked the firearm licenses of businessman Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang as authorities intensify the ongoing manhunt against him.

At a press conference on Thursday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Major General Robert Alexander Morico II said he recommended the move, which was approved by PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

“To further facilitate ‘yung manhunt operation, we have recommended to the Chief PNP the revocation of the firearm license of Mr. Atong Ang which the Chief PNP approved,” Morico said.

“We have communicated already with his lawyers and they were mandated to surrender these to Firearms and Explosive Office. There are six firearms na under the name of Mr. Atong Ang,” he added.

A Batangas court has issued four warrants of arrest involving 18 accused including Ang, stemming from multiple counts of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the case of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts).

Who is Atong Ang?

Of the 18 accused, 10 are police personnel and eight are civilians.

The 10 PNP personnel, including a dismissed cop, are already under police custody and currently detained at Camp Crame. Seven of the eight civilians have been accounted for and are now under the custody of CIDG Batangas. 

Ang remains the only accused still at large.

Morico said authorities served the warrants of arrest at four known locations linked to Ang in Metro Manila, Lipa City, and Laguna on Wednesday, but he was not found in any of the said addresses. 

Police operations to locate Ang are ongoing, he added.

The CIDG on Thursday also said it has requested the issuance of an Interpol red notice against Ang. — RF, GMA Integrated News