The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is considering offering a ₱10-million reward for information leading to the arrest of businessman Atong Ang, who is facing arrest warrants over the disappearance of several sabungeros. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities are expected to formally announce the reward later this afternoon as part of efforts to pressure Ang to surrender. “Later this afternoon, we will have a meeting and we will give a reward and we will announce it this afternoon to really give pressure that he will be turned over to us,” Remulla said. Ang is charged with 15 counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention and four counts of kidnapping with homicide, according to the PNP. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has intensified monitoring at airports and seaports nationwide to prevent Ang’s possible escape. PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered closer coordination with immigration authorities as the manhunt continues. “The most logical option for him is to surrender because the PNP is determined to comply with the arrest warrant issued by the court,” Nartatez said. The other 17 accused are already in police custody. Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, earlier asked for time to review the accusations against his client. Nartatez added: “If he is indeed innocent as he has been claiming, the more that he should be encouraged to surrender to face the accusations against him.” Remulla described Ang as “armed and dangerous,” citing allegations that he ordered the killing of more than a hundred people and noting that Ang is reportedly accompanied by numerous bodyguards. “We consider him armed and dangerous. How do you treat a man who killed more than a hundred people, who ordered the killing of more than a hundred people, and who has more than twenty bodyguards?” Remulla said, adding that authorities are prepared for all scenarios should Ang resist arrest. Monitoring indicates that Ang remains in the Philippines, with authorities focusing their search in Luzon. “He is still here because, as his lawyer said the day before, he was with him. He was signing papers a few hours before the warrants of arrest were issued,” Remulla said.
