MANILA — A Laguna court has issued a warrant of arrest against businessman Atong Ang and several others for kidnapping with homicide in connection with the case of the missing sabungeros.

Sta. Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court Branch 26 Judge Mary Jean Cajandra Ong, in an order dated Jan. 13, said the offense is not bailable.

Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Polo Martinez said prosecutors will seek the issuance of a hold departure order (HDO).

“An ILBO (Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order) was previously issued, which will notify authorities of any attempt by any of the accused to exit the country,” Martinez said in a statement.

“Following the issuance today of the arrest warrant by RTC Sta. Cruz, the prosecution shall forthwith move for the issuance of a HDO with the court and ensure that all the accused stand trial,” he added.

Martinez said authorities are still waiting for arrest warrants from other courts handling related cases.

“(W)e’re still waiting for RTCs in Lipa City and San Pablo, Laguna,” he said.

Aside from Ang, whose real name is Charlie Tiu Hay Ang, those named in the warrant are Rogelio Borican Jr., Jezrel Mahilum, Mark Zabala, Rodelo Anig-ig, Emman Falle, Jilios Gumolon, Ronquillo Anding, Ryan Orapa, Aaron Cabillan, Mark Manrique, Anderson Abary, Michael Claveria, Edmon Muñoz, Farvy Dela Cruz, Renan Fulgenio, Alfredo Andes and Joey Encarnacion.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said the arrest warrant would be served at Ang’s identified locations.

He added that around 10 to 11 police personnel who are also subjects of arrest warrants are already under restrictive custody.

Asked whether the PNP expects any difficulty in serving the warrant, Nartatez said established procedures will be followed.

“We have certain procedures in implementing warrant of arrest… mayroon tayong procedure, and the PNP personnel… are mandated na sundin ito (We have procedures and the PNP personnel are mandated to follow them),” he said.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said all accused except Ang are already accounted for.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico said operations are now focused on Ang.

“We have several operations ongoing in several of his properties in Metro Manila and Region 4A. It will be continuing,” Morico told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Wednesday.

He added that Ang remains in the country.

“We have been monitoring him. He is still in the country that’s why I am asking him to peacefully surrender,” Morico said.

Seventeen co-accused of Ang are now in the custody of the PNP-CIDG, according to police officials.

CIDG spokesperson Police Major Helen dela Cruz said only Ang remains at large, while earlier statements from CIDG Director Robert Alexander Morico II said 15 of Ang’s co-accused are in CIDG custody.

Of the accused, nine are policemen and six are civilians, who were identified as Ang’s former security personnel at his cockfight arena.

Authorities said warrants were served at Ang’s two known addresses—a residential home in Pasig City and his game farm in Lipa City, Batangas—but he was not present at either location.

The Sta. Cruz court ordered the arrest of Ang and the others over kidnapping with homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the sabungeros who have been missing since 2021.

Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Ang has no record of leaving the country.

“Upon verification of our records, he has no recent travel,” Sandoval said.

An Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order was issued against Ang and several individuals in August 2025. An ILBO directs immigration authorities to monitor individuals who may attempt to leave the country, while a hold departure order is a court-issued directive preventing travel.