Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday said he is considering offering a ₱10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of business tycoon Atong Ang, who is facing arrest over the disappearance of dozens of sabungeros, or cockfighting enthusiasts.
Remulla said the reward was expected to be formally announced later in the day as authorities intensified efforts to pressure Ang to surrender.
“Mamaya may meeting kami at magbibigay na kami ng reward at mag-a-announce kami mamayang hapon para mabigyan ng pressure talaga na i-turn over na siya sa amin,” Remulla said.
“Siguro ₱10 million pwede na iyon,” he added.
The move followed the issuance of arrest warrants by the Sta. Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court Branch 26 against Ang and 17 others for kidnapping linked to the long-running sabungeros case.
Remulla said Ang is believed to still be in the country, with law enforcement focusing their search in Luzon.
“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. So ang tracking namin nandito pa rin siya,” he said.
The interior secretary described Ang as “armed and dangerous,” citing allegations that he ordered the killing of more than a hundred people and is protected by a large security detail.
“We consider him armed and dangerous. Sabi ng abogado niya iresponsible daw ang pagsasabi ko noon,” Remulla said.
“Paano ang trato mo sa pumatay ng lagpas isang daan tao, na inutos ang pagpapatay ng lagpas isang daan tao, na ang bodyguard niya ay lagpas 20, kada minuto kung sa kahit saan siya pumunta?” he added, saying authorities are prepared if Ang resists arrest.