PNP warns public vs helping Atong Ang amid manhunt

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday warned friends, business associates, and security agencies against providing any form of assistance to businessman Atong Ang amid the manhunt operations against him.

“We expect him to use his huge reserve of resources to avoid being caught. But I advise him to use that instead to defend himself in court rather than playing hide and seek with us because he will be arrested eventually,” PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“Let us work together to bring him to court and face the serious accusations against him. This is how the justice system works and this must be respected,” he added.

Nartatez said tracker and intelligence units have expanded their monitoring operations to include “backdoor exits” to prevent Ang from leaving the Philippines.

The manhunt for Ang is set to be expanded through coordination with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) in case Ang manages to escape from the country.

Nartatez cautioned the public against providing false or misleading information about Ang’s whereabouts, noting that individuals who deliberately mislead law enforcement operations could face criminal liability.

Security agencies were also warned against extending help to Ang, including providing bodyguards or security escorts, as they will face administrative sanctions and criminal charges.

“On the part of the PNP, we will exert all the efforts to contain his movement and eventually serve the arrest warrant against him,” Nartatez said.

Arrest warrants have been issued against Ang and 17 others, stemming from multiple counts of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the missing sabungeros case.

Ang remains the only accused still at large.

Ang's firearm licenses have been revoked so his lawyers were ordered to surrender his guns to the Firearms and Explosives Office. Six firearms are registered under Ang’s name.

The PNP is also working closely with the Bureau of Immigration for the implementation of a departure order against Ang.

A P10 million reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Ang. — BAP, GMA Integrated News