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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP warns coddlers of Atong Ang as manhunt intensifies

PNP warns coddlers of Atong Ang as manhunt intensifies

Published Jan 16, 2026 02:09 pm
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo: OCPNP)
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo: OCPNP)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, Jan. 16, issued a stern warning to family, friends, and associates of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang against providing shelter or assistance to him as manhunt operations were strengthened to find him in connection with the case of the missing sabungeros.
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting PNP Chief, said the warning was issued as authorities expect that Ang “will utilize all his connections and wealth to evade arrest.”
“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,” he said.
Nartatez warned that anyone caught providing assistance to Ang, including security agencies lending any form of assistance through bodyguards or security escorts, could face criminal liability.
He also cautioned people against giving false leads that could mislead police operations.
“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,” Nartatez noted.
Police tracker and intelligence teams expanded monitoring of backdoor exits to prevent Ang from supposedly fleeing the country, according to the PNP.
Ang's defense
Meanwhile, Ang's legal team said it plans to file an Omnibus Motion to quash the arrest warrant issued by the Laguna court as lead lawyer Gabriel Villareal claimed the warrant was issued prematurely and violated his client's rights.
Villareal said the Department of Justice (DOJ) submitted incomplete information that the court relied on to determine probable cause for Ang and 17 co-accused, including nine police officers.
The motion is expected to be filed on Friday, January 16, with a hearing anticipated sometime next week. 
Missing sabungeros
Multiple warrants of arrest were recently issued against Ang and 17 others by the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Santa Cruz, Laguna on charges of kidnapping with homicide, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of dozens of cockfighting enthusiasts, locally known as sabungeros, between 2021 and 2022.
The complaints stemmed from allegations that the cockfight enthusiasts were abducted and allegedly killed amid disputes related to cockfighting matches.
Out of the 18 individuals named in the warrant, 17 co-accused have been arrested and are now under police custody, including 10 police personnel and seven civilians. Only Ang remains at large as police continue the manhunt.
Police have served warrants at multiple known addresses linked to Ang, including a residence in Pasig City and his game farm in Lipa City, Batangas, but he was not found at either location.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla has classified Ang as the country’s “most wanted” and announced a P10-million reward for information leading to his arrest.
As part of the effort to facilitate Ang’s capture, the PNP has revoked his permits and licenses for six registered firearms. Authorities have also requested an INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) red notice in case Ang crosses into other jurisdictions.

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PNP Atong Ang missing sabungeros Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
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