Atong Ang arrest reward increased to ₱20M —SILG Remulla

The reward for information leading to the arrest of Atong Ang, who is facing arrest warrants in connection with the missing sabungeros case, has been raised to P20 million from P10 million.

At a press conference on Thursday, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said, "We are increasing the bounty for Atong Ang to P20 million for information leading to his arrest."

The Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) released a new wanted poster for the 68-year-old businessman with the updated amount of the reward.

“The CIDG launched *PNP-CIDG HOTLINES *0960-6923025* and *0456-115926* to receive calls and information leading to the immediate capture of the accused. It is open 24/7 to all calls nationwide,” the CIDG said in a separate statement. 

“The CIDG urges the public to report to PNP-CIDG HOTLINES all information leading to the arrest of Atong Ang . NO QUESTIONS ASKED! PHP 20 MILLION PESOS REWARD GUARANTEED!” it added.

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

Philippine authorities earlier requested the issuance of an Interpol red notice against Ang.

As defined by the Interpol, a red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. 

The individuals are wanted by the requesting member country, or international tribunal. Member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.

Ang has denied the allegations against him.

His lawyer, Atty. Gabriel Villareal, previously described the Laguna court's arrest warrant as “premature” and “legally questionable,” as it supposedly failed to meet the constitutional standards that should have been observed under the circumstances.

“Clearly, the court merely acted on the incomplete and one-sided information provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in its determination of probable cause, without having even seen the counter affidavits and exculpatory evidence of the respondents, including that of Mr. Ang,” Villareal said.  —VAL/RF, GMA Integrated News