The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched a sweeping nationwide manhunt for businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, accused as the mastermind behind the kidnappings and homicides of dozens of sabungeros—cockfighting enthusiasts—between 2021 and 2022. With non-bailable charges filed against him, the PNP on January 16, 2026, issued a stern warning cautioning the public against offering shelter or assistance to Ang, citing potential criminal liability for those who aid the fugitive.
Massive Manhunt Mobilizes over 320,000 Police Personnel
Designated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla as the country’s “number one most wanted”, Ang is the sole fugitive among 18 individuals indicted for multiple counts of kidnapping with homicide, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention. Of those accused, 17 have already been arrested, including 10 police officers and 7 civilians. The PNP has vowed to capture Ang without resorting to extrajudicial measures, mobilizing approximately 320,000 personnel nationwide to aid in the operation.
The heightened security includes intense surveillance at airports, seaports, and known backdoor exit points, combined with police checkpoints that have begun to disrupt usual travel across the archipelago. Ang is believed to be hiding in several locations, including Pasig, Mandaluyong, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, and Zambales, all areas under strict watch.
Reward and Legal Actions Amplify Pressure on Fugitive
The government has placed a Php 10 million reward on information leading to Ang’s arrest, sourced from the DILG intelligence budget. Informants are instructed to provide evidence through specific hotline SIM cards to qualify for the reward, enhancing the crackdown’s reach into communities potentially harboring the fugitive.
Authorities have revoked Ang’s licenses for six registered firearms, all under his Type 5 license, which permits ownership of more than 15 firearms. His legal team has been ordered to surrender these weapons to the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office, underscoring the government’s resolve to neutralize any armed threat linked to Ang.
Adding to the legal weight, the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Santa Cruz, Laguna, has issued non-bailable warrants for Ang and his co-accused. Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has requested an Interpol red notice to enable provisional arrest should Ang attempt to flee the country.
Warnings Against Harboring Ang Highlighted by PNP
In a decisive move to discourage supporters from aiding Ang, the PNP released a wanted poster alongside a warning that anyone found providing shelter or assistance could face criminal charges under the Revised Penal Code as accessories after the fact. This aims to sever any remaining support networks that may help Ang elude capture.
PNP Lt. Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr. urged public cooperation: “Let us work together to bring him to court to face the serious accusations against him.” At the same time, CIDG Director Robert Alexander Morico II reminded the public that if Ang attempts to escape through other routes, Interpol member nations might apprehend him, emphasizing the global reach of the crackdown.
Legal Challenges Mount as Defense Seeks Motion to Quash
Despite the mounting evidence and nationwide sweep, Ang’s legal counsel, led by lawyer Gabriel Villareal, has contested the arrest warrants, filing an omnibus motion to quash. Villareal argues that the warrants were prematurely issued based on incomplete information presented by the Department of Justice, contending that the probable cause for Ang’s arrest has not been fully substantiated.
The hearing for this motion is scheduled for the coming week, placing legal scrutiny on the procedures followed in the pursuit of the most wanted man in the Philippines.
Societal Impact and Lingering Fear Among Sabungero Communities
The 2021-2022 disappearances have reverberated through sabungero communities, especially in rural Luzon provinces like Laguna and Batangas, where cockfighting remains both a cultural pastime and a source of livelihood. The atrocities attributed to Ang have cast a shadow of fear and uncertainty over these communities, with diminished cockfighting activities affecting local economies centered on small-scale bettors.
The intensified police presence has caused practical inconveniences too, with checkpoints and inspections delaying travel for ordinary Filipinos, including overseas Filipino workers and provincial commuters whose mobility depends on buses and ferries.
While the PNP’s massive deployment aims to restore public safety and trust in law enforcement, officials acknowledge the strain on routine community policing and resources.
Government and Stakeholders Unite for Swift Justice
- DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla praised the comprehensive effort, emphasizing the importance of public participation: “Any information leading to the decisive capture of Atong Ang will qualify for a P10-million reward. No questions will be asked… At this point, we can classify him as the most wanted individual in the Philippines.”
- PNP continues to coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration on hold departure orders to corner Ang within the country.
- Interpol National Central Bureau Manila has been activated to track the fugitive beyond Philippine borders.
The stakes remain high as the PNP balances urgency with adherence to procedural justice, endeavoring to bring Charlie “Atong” Ang to court while assuaging public concerns over safety and due process. The unfolding manhunt serves as a stark reminder of the complexities facing law enforcement in rooting out armed fugitives intertwined with organized crime and elements within their own ranks.
