MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government is offering a ₱10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, a fugitive now facing kidnapping, homicide and serious illegal detention charges related to the “missing sabungeros” case.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he hopes to tighten the net around Ang after a Laguna court issued an arrest warrant against him and 17 others.

“Mamaya may meeting kami at magbibigay na kami ng reward at mag-a-announce kami mamayang hapon para mabigyan ng pressure talaga na i-turn over na siya sa amin,” Remulla said.

“Siguro P10 million puwede na iyon,” he added.

In a warrant issued by the Santa Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court Branch 26, gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang and several former and active police officers — including ex–Lt. Col. Ryan Jay Orapa, Police Master Sgt. Michael Jaictin Claveria, and Police Staff Sgt. Alfredo Uy — were charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention, both non-bailable offenses.

The court likewise released a separate arrest warrant for kidnapping with homicide, a charge that also carries no possibility of bail.

Ang Believed to Be Still in PH

Remulla said tracker teams have been deployed to locate and arrest Ang, who authorities believe is still in the country.

“Nandito pa siya kasi noong sabi nga ng abogado noong the day before ay kasama niya pa. Pumipirma ng mga papel bago lumabas ’yung mga warrant of arrest a few hours later. So ang tracking namin nandito pa rin siya,” he said.

According to Remulla, manhunt operations are focused on Luzon, but law enforcement units nationwide have also been alerted.

“Nandito pa rin siya,” Remulla reiterated, adding that “all our teams across the country are actively searching.”

‘Armed and Dangerous’

Remulla again described Ang as “armed and dangerous,” responding to criticism from the businessman’s lawyer who earlier said such statements were irresponsible.

“We consider him armed and dangerous. Sabi ng abogado niya iresponsible daw ang pagsasabi ko noon. Paano ang trato mo sa pumatay ng lagpas isangdaan tao, na inutos ang pagpapatay ng lagpas isangdaan tao, na ang bodyguard niya ay lagpas dalawampu, kada minuto kung sa kahit saan siya pumunta?” Remulla said.

“’Di ba armed and dangerous ’yung ganun? Kaya kami, lahat ng eventuality pinaghahandaan namin na kung lalaban siya, hindi namin papalagpasin,” he added.

The interior secretary said authorities are prepared for any possible resistance during Ang’s arrest.

“That’s why we are prepared for any eventuality. If he is going to fight it out, we won’t back down,” Remulla said.

📷 Screenshot from DILG Livestream