CIDG receives 40 tips on possible Atong Ang whereabouts

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

(Criminal Investigation and Detection Group/facebook)

MANILA – Police said Monday they received 40 hotline tips on the possible whereabouts of fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang.

At a press briefing at Camp Crame, Col. John Guiagui, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR), said most tips pointed to locations in Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, and the Bicol Region.

He said the reported sightings occurred before the arrest warrants were issued against Ang, who is accused of masterminding the disappearance of more than a dozen cockfighting enthusiasts.

Guiagui also said “efforts have been in place already” to verify reports that Ang has already fled the country, particularly to Cambodia or Thailand.

Without verified physical sightings, however, Guiagui said police will continue searching for Ang in the country.

“Hangga’t wala naman siya sa ibang bansa at andito siya, 100 percent ‘yung [hopes] natin na mahahanap natin siya (As long as he’s not abroad and he’s here, we’re 100 percent hopeful that we’ll find him),” he added.

Police teams looking for Ang have already searched 14 locations across Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon, but still failed to locate the businessman.

Guiagui said these included a home in Pasig City, two properties in Mandaluyong, and a penthouse in Quezon City.

Authorities are still looking into three more locations in Metro Manila, but Guiagui declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing operations.

“Visayas, Mindanao up to Luzon, nag-effort tayo. Kung ano ang dumating sa atin na information (We exert efforts in Visayas, Mindanao up to Luzon. Whatever information reaching us), we are validating,” Guiagui said.

The CIDG, meanwhile, has subpoenaed the notary public who notarized the affidavit submitted by Ang’s camp in reporting a missing rifle.

Ang’s camp surrendered five of his six registered firearms to the Mandaluyong City Police Station Wednesday last week, days after the Philippine National Police (PNP) cancelled his gun licenses as part of a bid to capture him.

His legal team said the sixth firearm, a rifle, was lost in October 2025, which was supported by an affidavit of loss.

Guiagui said Ang is still considered armed and dangerous despite having surrendered five of his six firearms.

“Ang dami niyang bodyguards and associates wanting to protect him. Paano mo mapo-protektahan ang isang tao? You should be armed also (He has a lot of bodyguards and associates wanting to protect him. How can you protect someone? You should be armed also). So we still consider him armed and dangerous,” he said.