Businessman Atong Ang Still At Large, 17 Co-Accused Arrested
ATONG ANG – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is eyeing a P10 million reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the businessman.
Until now, justice has yet to be served on the reported death of several cockfighting enthusiasts. Their families remain calling for accountability on the disappearance of their loved ones. There were claims that their bodies were allegedly thrown in Taal Lake. Several individuals were tagged over the issue.
Businessman Atong Ang and former actress Gretchen Barretto were among those who were tagged in the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts. Last December, the Department of Justice or DOJ dismissed the complaints against Gretchen Barretto over the issue of the missing sabungeros.
With regards to Atong Ang, an arrest warrant was released against him as well as 17 other people regarding the case of the missing sabungeros. The complaints of the businessman against the witnesses were previously dismissed by the Mandaluyong prosecutor.
A Regional Trial Court in Laguna issued an arrest warrant against Ang and 17 other individuals in connection with the accusations over their alleged involvement in the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts. They are faced with a non-bailable kidnapping case under the Philippine law.
“The bail for the release of the accused in this case is fixed at NOT BAILABLE,” the order of the Court reads.
Aside from Atong Ang, here are the 17 other individuals faced with an arrest warrant over the case of the missing sabungeros:
- Rogelio Teodoso Borican Jr.
- Jezrel Lazarte Mahilum
- Mark Carlo Evangelista Zabala
- Rodelo Antipuesto Anging
- Emman Cayunda Falle
- Julios Tagalog Gumolon
- Ronquillo Pacot Anding
- Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa
- Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan
- Mark Anthony Aguilo Manrique
- Anderson Orozco Abary
- Michael Jactin Claveria
- Edmon Hernandez Munoz
- Farvy Opalla Dela Cruz
- Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio
- Alfredo Uy Andes
- Joey Natanaun Encarnacion
The Court ordered the police authorities to wear body-worn cameras during the implementation of the arrest warrant on the accused. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said they have already arrested the 17 individuals who are faced with an arrest warrant.
However, businessman Atong Ang remains at large. Based on a report on GMA News, the DILG is eyeing to post a P10 million reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the business tycoon.
According to DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla, they will be having a meeting this afternoon and they agreed to give a reward in exchange for an information that could lead to Ang’s arrest to ensure his turn-over to the authorities.
“Mag-a-announce kami mamayang hapon para mabigyan ng pressure talaga na i-turn over na siya sa amin. Siguro P10 million puwede na iyon,” the Interior Secretary told Dobol B TV.
Based on the report, Remulla said they are confident that Atong Ang is still in the Philippines. According to him, the businessman was with his lawyer hours before the arrest warrant was issued by the court.
“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,” Remulla said.
Previously, the Malacañang Palace spoke on the arrest warrant against Atong Ang.