A Batangas trial court has issued a fresh arrest warrant against gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang and 20 others in connection with the kidnapping and presumed deaths of dozens of cockfighting enthusiasts, or sabungeros, between 2021 and 2022.
The order, dated January 15 and released Friday, was issued by Judge Pamela Chavez-Izon of the Lipa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 13. Ang and his co-accused face six counts of kidnapping with homicide, a non-bailable offense.
This marks the second arrest order against Ang in a single week.
On Wednesday, the Sta. Cruz RTC in Laguna issued a separate warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention involving many of the same suspects.
The list of those ordered arrested includes 14 police officers and six civilians.
Among the high-ranking officers named in the Lipa court warrant are Police Lt. Col. Ryan Orapa and Police Major Philip Almedilla.
According to the National Police Commission (Napolcom), 11 of the involved officers have already been dismissed from the service for grave misconduct.
The charges stem from a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the disappearance of 26 sabungeros.
Prosecutors allege the victims were abducted and killed on Ang’s orders for allegedly engaging in game-fixing.
Authorities have intensified their manhunt for Ang, who remains at large.
On Thursday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced a ₱10-million reward for information leading to his capture.
Simultaneously, the Philippine National Police (PNP) revoked Ang’s firearms licenses and issued a warning to the public against harboring the fugitive.
Judge Chavez-Izon’s order also mandated that law enforcement officers use body-worn cameras and alternative recording devices during the execution of the warrants to ensure transparency in the high-profile operation.