Atong Ang’s arrest warrant could be issued ‘anytime now,’ says Remulla

Businessman Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang, alleged mastermind behind the “lost sabungeros” case that has been under investigation for more than two years, may face an arrest warrant “anytime now,” Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Monday, December 22, 2025. 

“It’s supposed to be anytime now. We’re just waiting for the judge to fully appreciate the facts of the case. And I think it’ll be anytime now,” Remulla said in an interview on ANC. When asked whether Ang could be jailed before Christmas, the DILG Secretary replied, “Hopefully. Hopefully, yes.” 

Remulla said that once Ang is arrested, he will face multiple nonbailable cases filed in different regional trial courts, including one in Lipa City, Batangas, as well as Sta. Cruz and San Pablo in Laguna. 

“Nonbailable because it’s murder. For him, it’s kidnapping, forced disappearance, and it’s like that. But all his cases are nonbailable,” Remulla said. 

The DILG considers Ang to be “armed and dangerous,” and capable of resisting arrest, but Remulla guarantees that there will be no extrajudicial killing or EJK in Ang’s arrest, taking all precautions to ensure a safe arrest without casualties. 

Ang, a prominent figure in the gambling industry, has been linked to the disappearances of cockfighting enthusiasts, known as “sabungeros.” Although he has denied the allegations, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the charges were based on evidence gathered from its reinvestigation into the high-profile disappearances linked to illegal cockfighting. 

On Dec. 9, the DOJ recommended filing 26 counts of kidnapping against Ang and at least 21 others, including 15 policemen, for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of the sabungeros. 

More recently, the DOJ said that a panel of prosecutors found prima facie evidence, with reasonable certainty of conviction, to indict Ang and others for 10 counts of kidnapping with homicide.