With manhunt operations for Atong Ang still underway, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that the reward for information leading to his arrest has been doubled from 10-million to 20-million pesos to further expedite his capture.

“We are increasing the bounty for Atong Ang to 20 million pesos for information leading to his arrest,” Remulla said.

The DILG Chief expressed confidence that the increased reward will encourage cooperation from those who may know the fugitive’s whereabouts. “Kung pumatay ka ng isang-daang tao at may bilyon-bilyong pera kang nakatago, darating din ang araw mo,” Remulla explained, citing that the bounty hike will hasten the due process for Ang to face his charges as the principal suspect in the missing sabungero’s case.

The DILG Chief said the bounty will be sourced from the intelligence fund of the Department and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to accelerate efforts to arrest Ang who remains at large despite multiple warrants under his name.

The DILG Chief also clarified that Ang is still hiding within the Philippines after the Cambodian Government said that the fugitive tycoon is not hiding in their country, noting that there are no records of his entry nor exit in Cambodia.

To strengthen the manhunt, the government will be utilizing drones with lidar sensors to conduct precise search and surveillance operations in apprehending the country’s most wanted individuals.

“We’re going to be deploying (the drones) in the next few months para sa mga intensive manhunt operations namin kay Bantag, Atong Ang, at para sa paparating na indictment sa mga floodgate scandal (accused),” Remulla said.