The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday announced a ₱10‑million reward for information leading to the arrest of gaming tycoon Atong Ang, in the case of "missing sabungeros."
In a press conference in Quezon City, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Ang is now being considered the country’s "number one most wanted" individual, and the bounty will be given to anyone who can provide information.
“Ang DILG po ay maglalagay ng P10 milyong patong para sa kanyang aresto. Any information leading to the arrest of, conclusive arrest of Atong Ang will meritate 10 million peso reward. No questions asked. Basta ikaw yung nagbigay ng information leading directly to the arrest ay P10-bilyon ang reward para sa kanya,” he said.
Remulla said the reward will be sourced from the DILG’s intelligence fund.
“He is accused of killing over and above, maybe more than 100 missing sabungeros. He is considered armed and dangerous,” Remulla said.
As part of intensified manhunt operations, the DILG has recommended the revocation of Ang’s firearm licenses. This recommendation was approved by the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, and Ang’s lawyers have been instructed to surrender his firearms to the Firearms and Explosives Office.
Authorities confirmed that six firearms are registered under Ang’s name.
Despite the revocation, Remulla warned that Ang remains a serious threat.
“Kahit sabihin na nakancel ang kanyang firearms, si Atong po ay bumabiyahe ng hindi kumukulang ng 20 ang bodyguard lagi. Sanay po ‘yan sa marahas na pagharap sa mga awtoridad, Sanay po yan sa mararahas na paraan para masolusyonan ang kanyang mga problema,” he said.
He added: "So we consider him armed and dangerous"
The PNP has mobilized its entire force of more than 320,000 personnel nationwide to locate and arrest Ang, he said.
Remulla assured the public that while authorities will take all necessary measures to protect themselves during the operation, there is no plan for extrajudicial killings.
“Lahat ng paraan na kailangang gawin para kunin siya ay gagawin namin. Pero may garantiya po kami ng walang EJK, wala pong extrajudicial killing na plano ang PNP,” he said.
Remulla acknowledged that capturing Ang poses a major challenge due to his vast financial resources and assets. At the height of the online cockfighting industry, Ang’s operations were reportedly earning as much as ₱1 billion a day over several years.
“Kung naiimagine niyo kung ganoon kalaki ang kita niya, kung anong klaseng resources ang meron siya para magtago at para gumamit ng pwersa at para kumuha ng mga bodyguard at para kumuha ng mga taguan. Pero yung P1 billion na 'yan a day na yan ay may hangganan lang," DILG chief emphasized.
“It is hard to fight the Philippine government. Sisiguraduhin namin na ang kanyang kakayahan ay ma-neutralize sa kapangyarihan ng batas. Like I said before, Atong Ang is now a poor man with a lot of money. Napakarami niyang salapi pero napakahirap niyang tao ngayon,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, has challenged the court order for his arrest, arguing that the directive is "premature" and legally questionable.
Atong Ang is the sole suspect still at large among 18 individuals for whom a Laguna court has issued arrest orders. He is facing non-bailable charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
