THE HUNT FOR fugitive gaming tycoon has become tougher as ever with a long list of cockfight aficionados coddling Charlie “Atong” Ang.
In an interview, a reliable source who forms part of the so-called “Barkadahan sa Sabungan” told The PH Insider that Ang is enjoying the protection of friends and business associates enjoying a similar passion as his — cockfighting.
“Posible pero hindi magiging madali,” said the source when asked as to whether the Philippine National Police (PNP) stands a chance to arrest Ang who is facing non-bailable charges arising from the abduction and death of the so-called “missing sabungeros.”
He however declined to provide hints as to who the coddlers are.
“Ang masasabi ko lang, magaling makisama si Atong kaya tumatanaw din naman ng utang na loob ang mga kaibigan niya… marami sa kanila guminhawa ang buhay dahil sa kanya,” he averred.
The government has offered P20 million for information leading to Ang’s arrest.
EXTREMELY SLIPPERY
Police and other law enforcement agencies have so far conducted over 200 operations on suspected hideouts in the last three months. Not one yielded positive results.
A few days ago, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla called for a press conference where he described the most purge as a close call after spotting Ang somewhere in the Calabarzon region two weeks ago..
It was not certain though where exactly the fugitive was spotted. The gaming tycoon notoriously famous for e-sabong maintains properties in the provinces of Laguna, Batangas and Rizal.
SAFE HIDING HAVEN
As of April 2026, authorities have identified and searched several properties in the Calabarzon region linked to businessman Ang.
These properties include a massive estate spanning over 30 hectares located in Lipa City and Rosario (both located in Batangas province), a cock hub in Pangil town (Laguna) and at the upland portion of Jalajala (Rizal).
“Atong was spotted in Region 4-A two weeks ago. Nakita siya… We had follow-up operations. We missed him by a day,” Remulla was quoted in a report which was first released by the GMA News.
LEAN CORDON TEAM
To prevent being detected, the DILG chief claimed that Ang has been moving from one place to another every three to five days with a lean team tasked to look after him.
“Apparently, he travels in a small group. Parang tatlo lang sila. Tapos palipat-lipat siya ng bahay every three days, four days, five days. Lipat na siya nang lipat all around the Philippines,” he added.
Prior to the filing of criminal charges arising from the alleged abduction and murder of the “missing sabungeros,” Ang is usually guarded by a squadron of security aides.
ANG IS EVERYWHERE
Earlier this month, reports suggested Ang may have been hiding in Vietnam, a neighboring country to which the Philippines has an existing extradition treaty.
“Si Atong Ang ang latest balita namin nasa Vietnam… gumagawa kami ng diplomatic efforts para kausapin ‘yung counterparts namin doon para tingnan ‘yung immigration record nila kung nandoon talaga,” Remulla told the GMA
“Kausap na nila Chief PNP ang mga counterparts nila so malalaman natin ang resulta,” said the DILG chief who hinted at the possibility that Ang escaped via the backdoor in Mindanao.
“Doon siya sa Mindanao papuntang Malaysia. Tapos umabot siyang Vietnam” Remulla added.
WARRANT OF ARREST
Arrest warrants have been issued against Ang and others, stemming from multiple counts of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the missing sabungeros case.
Ang has denied the allegations against him.
Philippine authorities earlier requested the issuance of an Interpol red notice against Ang. As defined by the Interpol, a red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
