Atong Ang nearly arrested, still in PH —DILG’s Remulla

Atong Ang, who is accused in the missing sabungeros case, is still in the Philippines and was nearly arrested in a recent operation, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Friday.

Remulla confirmed this development to GMA News Online in a message.

According to Remulla, law enforcement forces launched the operation early in the morning on Thursday after Ang was supposedly sighted at his hideout, the location of which the official refused to disclose for now.

Remulla earlier said intelligence reports previously claimed Ang was in Vietnam but recent information suggests the businessman is in the Philippines.

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.

Ang has denied the allegations against him.

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. 

LIST: What are Interpol notices?

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.

The reward for information leading to Ang’s arrest is P20 million. —VAL, GMA News