Manila, Feb 19: The international dragnet around Philippine gambling figure Charlie Ang tightened after Interpol issued a Red Notice against him in connection with the disappearance of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts between 2021 and 2022.
Ang, 68, also known as “Atong” Ang, has been named the prime suspect in the high-profile case involving missing sabungeros, or cockfighting bettors, whose disappearances have drawn nationwide scrutiny.
The Red Notice was sought in mid-January by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as part of an intensified manhunt. Authorities have described Ang as “armed and dangerous” and confirmed that he remains at large despite 10 coordinated raids conducted last week.
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla underscored the seriousness of the operation, saying, “We’re serious.”
The government has doubled the reward for information leading to Ang’s arrest from PHP10 million to PHP20 million (about $345,200). Arrest warrants against him include charges of kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and kidnapping with homicide.
While unverified reports suggest Ang may be hiding in Cambodia, intelligence officials believe he is still in the Philippines, maintaining a low profile. The Interpol Red Notice enables law enforcement agencies worldwide to provisionally detain him pending extradition if he is located abroad.
Twenty co-accused individuals, including active and retired officers, are already in custody. Authorities have described Ang as the central figure in the alleged conspiracy.
The case has cast a spotlight on the Philippine cockfighting industry, a long-standing gambling tradition in which Ang built his reputation. His name has previously surfaced in political controversies, including being publicly described as a leading gambler in his hometown by former President Rodrigo Duterte, who once tapped him to help curb illegal betting.
In 2000, Ang was also linked to a gambling-related controversy during the impeachment of former President Joseph Estrada.
With public hotlines activated and the reward increased, authorities said the search will continue without let-up. The disappearance of 34 sabungeros remains unresolved, as investigators pursue what has become one of the country’s most closely watched criminal cases in recent years.
