(February 12 2026) DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla raised the bounty for gambling tycoon Atong Ang to P20 million, announced during a press-conference held in Quezon City on Thursday February 12 2026. Sec. Remulla also said they will filing cases to 40 former and current officials for bid-rigging and graft before the ombudsman and around 1000 BFP personnel may face complaint related to illegal activities.
Photo by Analy Labor for DAILY TRIBUNE
The reward for information leading to the arrest of online sabong (cockfight) operator Charlie “Atong” Ang has been increased to P20 million. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the raise on Thursday in a press conference in Quezon City.
“We are increasing the bounty for Atong Ang to P20 million for information leading to his arrest. We’re serious here,” Remulla said.
He said the reward will come from the confidential funds of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police.
“That will come from the confidential funds provided to the PNP and the DILG for these cases. There’s no Chippy or Piattos here,” Remulla said, referring to the names used allegedly to cover up the misuse of intelligence funds by Vice President Sara Duterte.
The bounty was set at P10 million last year.
Ang is wanted by courts in Laguna and Batangas on kidnapping charges in connection with the disappearance of at least 34 cockfight aficionados (sabungeros) between 2021 and 2022.
Meanwhile, a third arrest warrant has been issued against Ang and five others. Regional Trial Court Branch 29 in San Pablo City, Laguna, in an order dated 6 February 2026, directed the arrest of Ang and the others for kidnapping and serious illegal detention. The offenses are non-bailable.
Also named in the warrant were Ryan Jay Orapa, Alfredo Uy Andres, Philip Simborio Almendilla, Joey Natanauan Encarnacion and Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan.
Last 13 January, Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna ordered Ang’s arrest for the same case. A warrant was also issued by the Regional Trial Court in Lipa City, Batangas, on 15 January.
The charges stemmed from complaints filed by the families of 34 missing sabungeros on 1 August 2025 over their disappearance between 2021 and 2022.
Last year, divers combed the depths of Taal Lake where the remains of some victims were reportedly dumped after they were killed. Bone fragments were found in the lake, but authorities have been silent on the findings.
Earlier, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the authorities believe Ang is still in the Philippines.
“Yes,” Vida said in an interview on Tuesday when asked if they were confident that Ang had not fled the country.
“We have partners, we have member countries that are cooperating with us. And we are exploring all avenues, including the diplomatic community. We are exploring all our channels,” Vida said.
