From Inquirer

By Alexia Bangayan

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced at a press conference on Thursday, February 12, that the reward money for information leading to the arrest of fugitive businessman Atong Ang has been increased to P20 million.

According to Remulla, the higher bounty is meant to encourage the public to provide a credible location of Ang’s whereabouts that could help locate and apprehend the businessman.

He added that the bounty will be sourced from the confidential funds allocated to the DILG and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for such cases.

Law enforcement agencies are continuing their operations related to the case.

On Wednesday, February 11, Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said that the official records and intelligence reports show that Ang remains in the Philippines, despite earlier speculation that he had gone to Cambodia.

However, Cambodian officials have formally stated that Ang is not in their country.

The bounty started on January 15, when Remulla set the amount at P10 million following the issuance of arrest warrants by several courts handling the case.

Ang currently faces three active warrants and is identified as the prime suspect in the disappearance of 34 sabungeros (cockfight enthusiasts) who have been reported missing since 2021.

Furthermore, 20 of his accomplices, including farmers and current police personnel, have been taken into custody.