The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday confirmed that a court in Sta. Cruz, Laguna has issued a warrant of arrest against businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, as police units moved to coordinate its implementation.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the warrant was issued by Branch 26 of the Regional Trial Court in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. 

He said police units are already coordinating with the issuing court and have begun preparations to serve the warrant.

Nartatez said some individuals also covered by the warrant are currently under restrictive custody at the PNP. 

According to this, around 10 to 11 police personnel under restrictive custody have been directed to surrender to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

He added that dedicated PNP teams have been dispatched to serve the warrant on other subjects named in the court order.

When asked about possible difficulties in serving the warrant, Nartatez said PNP personnel involved in the operation are required to follow established procedures in implementing warrants of arrest.

“We have certain procedures in implementing warrant of arrest, hindi lang warrant of arrest, at different police operations. This is an implementation of warrant arrest, mayroon tayong procedure, and the PNP personnel, all PNP personnel involved are, of course, mandated na sundin ito. At gagawin nila ang lahat para ma-implement,” he stressed. 

He also said police have identified several locations where Ang may be found and that the warrant will be served in those areas.

Meanwhile, the group of families of missing “sabungeros” welcomed the issuance of the warrant of arrest against Ang, calling it a significant development in their long-running search for accountability in the case.

In a statement, the group said the warrant marked progress in efforts to establish responsibility for the disappearance of the cockfighting enthusiasts, while urging authorities to ensure the fair and impartial implementation of the court order.

“Ang paglabas ng Warrant of Arrest laban kay Atong Ang ay isang mahalagang hakbang patungo sa hustisyang matagal naming ipinaglaban,” the group said.

“Bagama’t hindi lahat ng may kinalaman sa kaso ay nabigyan ng warrant, naniniwala kami na walang sinuman ang makatatakas sa batas ng tao at sa katarungan ng Diyos. Ang hustisya ay maaaring maantala, ngunit hindi ito kailanman maipagkakait,” they further noted.

The group also acknowledged the role of witnesses and law enforcement officials involved in advancing the investigation and reiterated their call for full accountability as the case moves forward.

“Kami ay nagpapasalamat sa mga awtoridad na tapat na tumutulong sa aming grupo, gayundin sa mga taong may konsensiya na tumindig para sa katotohanan at tumulong upang maabot ang yugtong ito ng hustisya,” they added.