KNOWN FOR A lucrative business raking much from bets, Charlie Atong” Ang doesn’t seem inclined on taking chances with his very own life at stake.
After being classified as “armed and dangerous,” Ang – through his lawyer Gabriel Villareal, surrendered five of his six firearms following the revocation of its licenses.
Firearms surrendered to the Mauway Police Sub-Station in Mandaluyong City include one Colt 5.56 rifle, a Glock 9mm pistol, a Sig Sauer 9mm, a Smith and Wesson .38-caliber revolver and a Battle Arms Development 9mm pistol.
“In compliance with the foregoing directives and without prejudice to any remedies available to him under the law, our client has peacefully surrendered the following firearms through his duly authorized representative,” Villareal said in a letter to Firearms and Explosives Office director Brig. Gen. Jose Manalad Jr.
Interestingly, his sixth firearm — a .260 caliber rifle — was allegedly lost sometime in October last year.
“In this connection, we further respectfully emphasize that the subject incident should not, in any manner, be used as a basis for the malicious, arbitrary or unwarranted application for the issuance of a search warrant, considering that our client has acted in good faith,” reads part of Ang’s affidavit.
Previously, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla directed police officers to employ all means necessary to arrest Ang, who is considered “armed and dangerous.”
The DILG chief however clarified that no police officers (active and retired) connected with Ang are coddling the gambling tycoon. “We see nothing conclusive that they’re aiding him,” Remulla told reporters.
Citing Ang’s earnings of around P1 billion a day or about P300 billion a year from his gaming business, Remulla admitted that the gaming tycoon could easily pay his way out of justice’s reach.
The Philippine National Police has so far searched six of Ang’s properties but have been unable to find him. Remulla said Ang was last seen in one of his residences in Mandaluyong.
Aside from the police, also running after Ang are operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Whistleblower and state witness Julie Patidongan expressed belief that his former boss fled the country even before the arrest warrants were issued.
But as far as the Bureau of Immigration is concerned, there’s no record of Ang leaving the country.
