30 arrested in Negros e-sabong operation allegedly linked to Atong Ang —CIDG

Authorities arrested 30 individuals in an operation against illegal e-sabong activities in Negros Occidental, which was allegedly linked to Atong Ang, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Monday.

At a press briefing, CIDG spokesperson Police Major Helen dela Cruz said authorities conducted the operation on April 22 at the World Cockfighting Cup in Talisay City.

“Sa atin pong operation against online sabong ay nakahuli po tayo ng 30…Meron po tayong at-large na suspects,” Cruz said.

(In our operation against online sabong, we have arrested 30…We have at-large suspects.)

“Naka-rescue naman po tayo ng dalawang victims. Sila po ay allegedly victims din ng anti-trafficking in person,” he added.

(We have also rescued two victims. They are also allegedly victims of anti-trafficking in person.)

Seized from the operations were electronic devices, fighting cocks, and gaffs. 

Authorities said the initial investigation showed that the operation may be connected to Ang, who was accused in the missing sabungeros case. A police major was also under investigation.

“Kasama po 'yan sa mga investigation, ang mga nabanggit po ng ating mahal na SILG kung involved nga po ang nasabing si Atong Ang at kasama din sa investigation na isinasagawa ng CIDG 'yung police major na nabanggit din po ng ating mahal na Secretary,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said. 

(Included in the investigations are those mentioned by our SILG, if Atong Ang and a police major were involved.)

In a separate press conference, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that Ang and the police major were connected in e-sabong operations from 2020 to 2022.

“They were known as cohorts during the height of the e-sabong days 2020 hanggang 2022. Yung police major na protector at 'yung alias Don Robert ay mga tao ni Atong Ang,” Remull said.

(They were known as cohorts during the height of e-sabong from 2020 to 2022. The police major, who is the protector and one alias Don Robert are men of Atong Ang.)

“Pero kung sabihin ko na si Atong ang involved dito, I cannot say with great conclusivity na kasama siya,” he added.

(But I cannot say with great conclusivity that Atong is indeed involved.)

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 repeatedly denied the allegations against him.

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