The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday carried out a search operation inside an exclusive subdivision in Makati City as part of its widening manhunt for businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, who is wanted on charges linked to the disappearance of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts between 2021 and 2022.
The operation, conducted on February 12, 2026, forms part of a nationwide effort to serve multiple arrest warrants issued by regional trial courts in Sta. Cruz, Laguna; Lipa, Batangas; and San Pablo, Laguna. Authorities have accused Ang of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention under the Revised Penal Code.
The government has raised the reward for information leading to his arrest to ₱20 million, doubling the previous bounty, in what officials describe as a measure of the case’s gravity.
Search Began After Lawyers Arrived
NBI agents entered the Makati property after the arrival of legal representatives, authorities said, underscoring the sensitivity of the operation in one of the country’s most affluent neighborhoods.
The Makati search follows similar operations in Dasmariñas, Cavite and other areas as investigators pursue fresh leads. Despite what officials describe as almost daily tips, Ang’s whereabouts remain unknown.
NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari maintained that the bureau believes Ang may still be within the country.
“The NBI insisted that Ang is likely in the Philippines, otherwise its operatives would not continue going around the country,” Mallari said.
Multiple Warrants, Mounting Pressure
Three separate courts have issued arrest warrants against Ang, intensifying pressure on law enforcement to locate the high-profile gaming figure. The charges stem from the disappearance of 34 men involved in sabung, or cockfighting — a deeply rooted pastime and informal livelihood in many Filipino communities.
The alleged crimes stretch back to 2021 and 2022, but the case has gained renewed urgency in recent weeks as authorities escalated the reward and broadened search operations. The NBI formally announced the nationwide manhunt during a press conference on January 15, 2026, instructing all regional offices to prioritize the service of warrants.
Since then, investigators have coordinated with Ang’s immediate family and validated an influx of public information.
“If we assess that the information is credible and trustworthy, we will proceed to verify it and, if necessary, dispatch operatives to check and execute the warrant. The rationale is that the accused might be in communication with his children,” Mallari said.
Following the Leads — and the Misdirection
The abundance of tips has not always advanced the investigation. Authorities acknowledged that false or misleading information has at times diverted manpower and resources.
“Thanks to the Sim Card Registration Act, we can trace who is making calls that disrupt the investigation and lead us to incorrect locations. Providing false information wastes government resources,” Mallari said.
The remark signals a broader concern: each false lead draws agents away from legitimate inquiries, stretching law enforcement capacity in what has become one of the country’s most closely watched criminal cases.
Conflicting Signals on Possible Escape
While the NBI continues to operate on the assumption that Ang is inside the Philippines, earlier statements from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla suggested intelligence reports indicating the businessman may have left the country.
The bureau has nonetheless begun coordinating with foreign counterparts, including authorities in Cambodia, in case Ang crossed borders. For now, the official stance remains that domestic search operations would not continue at their current scale if investigators believed he had definitively fled.
“We reaffirm our earlier statement that we have not received any highly credible information indicating that he has been released,” Mallari said.
Families Still Waiting
Behind the legal filings and search warrants are the families of 34 missing men, many of whom relied on cockfighting-related work as a source of income. For relatives, the case is not only about prosecution but about answers that have remained elusive for nearly four years.
The scale of the alleged crimes has shaken communities where cockfighting is woven into social and economic life. The prolonged investigation — and the need for a substantial bounty — has also tested public confidence in the ability of institutions to pursue influential figures.
The NBI has appealed directly to Ang to surrender.
“To assist the government and conserve its resources… If we truly care for the Philippines, a more reasonable action would be to surrender and face the charges. This would also give you the chance to present your case,” Mallari said.
An Expanding Manhunt
From gated villages in Makati to properties in Cavite and coordination abroad, the search for Atong Ang has widened into a high-stakes hunt that spans provinces and, potentially, borders. Like a net cast ever wider, investigators continue to tighten their sweep, guided by court-issued warrants and public tips.
As of mid-February 2026, however, the businessman remains at large — and the questions surrounding the fate of the 34 missing sabungeros remain unanswered.
