Photo courtesy of Avito Dalan/Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has canceled the firearms license of gaming tycoon Atong Ang, who remains at large following the issuance of a kidnapping arrest warrant.
The move comes as authorities pursue Ang in connection with the disappearance of at least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts, locally known as sabungeros.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said the revocation was approved by the Chief of PNP to aid the ongoing manhunt.
Ang’s legal team has been instructed to surrender his registered firearms to the Firearms Explosives Office, Morico added, noting that six firearms were listed under his name.
The Santa Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court Branch 26 issued arrest warrants for Ang and 17 other individuals in connection with the alleged kidnapping.
Seventeen of Ang’s co-accused have already been apprehended and are in CIDG custody, leaving the gaming tycoon as the sole fugitive in the case.
Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, described the arrest directive as “premature” and “legally questionable,” signaling plans to challenge the order in court.
