A Facebook post is claiming that the National Bureau of Investigation has arrested businessman and fugitive Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang, who is wanted for illegal detention and kidnapping with homicide related to the case of missing sabungeros. This is false.
Published on Jan. 16, the post composed of a montage of photos, including one of Ang, carried the headline:
“OMG! HINULI na ng NBI si Atong! (Atong was arrested by the NBI!)”
At the bottom of the graphic is text, supposedly a quote from Ang:
“INAAMIN ko ako ang MASTERMIND ng Missing Sabungeros Ginawa ko yun dahil kailangan ko ng Pera! (I admit that I am the mastermind of the missing sabungeros, I did it because I need money!)”
In a press briefing on Thursday, Jan. 15, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon of the Department of Justice, declared Ang remains a fugitive. In the same media conference, Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida expressed confidence that the businessman, long linked to illegal gambling operations in the Philippines, has not yet exited the country.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla named Ang the country’s “number one most wanted” on Jan. 15, and announced a P10 million reward for any tips that could lead to his apprehension.
Arrest warrants were issued on Jan. 13 by the Regional Trial Court Branch 26, Sta. Cruz, Laguna, for non-bailable charges, specifically 15 counts of serious illegal detention and kidnapping, and four counts of kidnapping with homicide.
On Jan.15, the Regional Trial Court Branch 13, Lipa City also ordered Ang’s arrest, along with 20 others for six counts of kidnapping with homicide.
Of the 22 accused in the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts between 2021 to 2022, 21 are now in the custody of the Philippine National Police. Only Ang remains at large, according to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in a Jan. 19 media briefing.
The erroneous post by Pilipinas Pulse (created on Nov. 24, 2024) has so far garnered 3,400 reactions, 398 comments and 70 shares.
