Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla today said the government will provide a Php 10- million reward for information leading to the arrest of Atong Ang, the lead accused in the case involving the missing sabungeros.

“Ang DILG ay naglalagay ng 10 million na patong para sa kaniyang aresto. Any information leading to the conclusive arrest of Atong Ang will merit a 10-million peso reward,” Remulla said, noting that this aims to speed up the arrest of Ang.

The DILG Chief called on Ang to stop evading arrest and cooperate with authorities. “Surrender now peacefully and we will treat you with respect. If you become a fugitive from the law, then we will treat you like a fugitive.”

The DILG Chief stressed that law enforcement operations will strictly follow due process. “Walang extrajudicial killing (EJK) na plano ang PNP,” he emphasized.

Right now, the 320,000 police personnel of the PNP have been directed to take part in the nationwide manhunt for Ang, now tagged by the government as the “most wanted criminal in the country.”

Earlier, a Batangas trial court issued 4 warrants of arrest for homicide and serious illegal detention against 18 individuals linked to the disappearance of more than 100 cockfighting enthusiasts during the height of E-sabong operations. Seventeen suspects – 10 police personnel and 7 civilians, are already in police custody, while authorities continue to track down Ang.

With Ang considered as “armed and dangerous,” the PNP has sought the revocation of licenses for six firearms registered under his name and has requested an Interpol red notice in case he has already left the country.

The DILG Chief said that once arrested, Ang will be brought to Camp Crame before being transferred to a detention facility under the jurisdiction of the court that issued the warrants.