PNP revokes Atong Ang’s gun licenses

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearm and Explosive Office, P/Brig. Gen. Jose DJ Manalad announced Monday that the firearms licenses of fugitive gambling lord Atong Ang had been revoked.

In a press conference at Camp Crame, Manalad said Ang’s licenses to own and possess firearms (LTOPFs) for his “three pistols, two rifles and a revolver” were revoked as part of efforts to capture him on the strength of arrest warrants over kidnapping charges linked to the disappearance of cockfighting aficionados, or sabungeros.

Manalad said Ang was able to acquire a Type 5 LTOPF, which gave him the right to own 15 or more firearms.

“Since the license and firearms registration have already been revoked, these are now considered loose firearms,” Manalad said, adding that if the holders of the revoked licenses fail to comply, authorities may apply for search warrants.

“Our local units may apply for a search warrant, but for now, we are giving ample time to recover the firearms and have them surrendered by the family or immediate relatives of the accused,” Manalad said, mostly in Filipino.

He added that the firearms licenses of Ang’s co-accused, namely, Rogelio Borican Jr., Rodelo Anig-ig, Jezrel Mahilum and Emmanuel Falle were also revoked.

Manalad said Borican and Anig-ig held Type 2 licenses, while Mahilum held a Type 1 license. He said he did not immediately have information on Falle’s license type.

Under Republic Act 10591, a Type 2 license allows the holder to possess up to five firearms, while a Type 1 license allows possession of up to two firearms.

Manalad said Mahilum owned a Glock .45 pistol, the license of which was likewise revoked, while Borican owned an Armscor .45 pistol that had already been declared lost.