MANILA — The reward for information leading to the arrest of fugitive tycoon Atong Ang has been increased to P20 million, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

“P20 million for information leading to his arrest,” Remulla said at a press briefing, adding that the funds came from the confidential funds of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Galing ‘yan sa confidential funds provided to the PNP and the DILG para sa ganyang kaso,” he added.

Remulla had first set the bounty at P10 million on January 15. Ang has been evading arrest following several court-issued warrants over the case of missing sabungeros, who have been reported missing since 2021.

Authorities are currently conducting a manhunt for Ang. Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said intelligence suggests that the fugitive tycoon remains in the Philippines, despite earlier speculation that he may have fled to Cambodia.

“Our records show that he is still here. Based on intelligence, there are indications that he’s still around,” Vida told reporters on Wednesday, February 11.

The first arrest warrant against Ang was issued by the Sta. Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court on January 13. While all of his co-accused have been arrested, Ang remains at large.

Two other courts in Region IV-A have also issued warrants: the Lipa RTC on January 15 and the San Pablo RTC Branch 29 in Laguna on February 6.

Charges against Ang and his co-accused include kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and kidnapping with homicide, all of which are non-bailable.