Atong Ang’s camp concerned over "armed and dangerous" tag amid manhunt
- The legal counsel of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang has advised him not to surrender to authorities following the issuance of several arrest warrants
- Attorney Gabriel Villareal argued that the businessman should not be treated like a criminal as he has not yet undergone a proper trial or been declared guilty
- The Department of the Interior and Local Government recently offered a P10-million reward for Ang, tagging him as "armed and dangerous" and the country's most wanted
- Ang’s camp is currently filing motions to quash the warrants, claiming there were procedural lapses and a lack of evidence during the preliminary investigation
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The high-stakes manhunt for gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang has taken a sharp legal turn. On Friday, Ang’s lead counsel, Attorney Gabriel Villareal, went on record to explain why the businessman has not yet turned himself in despite a massive P10-million reward offered by the government for his capture.
Source: Twitter
In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo, Villareal emphasized that surrendering at this stage would be premature. He believes that the judicial process still offers several paths to challenge the warrants issued by courts in Laguna and Batangas.
“Bakit naman niya ipagsasapalaran ang sarili niya sa pagsuko? Marami pa siyang natitirang judicial remedies. Hindi naman dapat siyang tinutugis na parang isang kriminal. Wala pa naman tayong trial at declaration of guilt para kay Mr. Ang,” Villareal stated, reminding the public of the constitutional right to be presumed innocent.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), led by Secretary Jonvic Remulla, recently labeled Ang as "armed and dangerous." Remulla cited intelligence reports suggesting Ang travels with at least 20 bodyguards. Villareal, however, slammed this description as baseless and reckless, fearing it could lead to a violent encounter.
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“Parang naghahanap tayo ng dahilan at pamamaraan para mapalabas na si Mr. Ang ay nanlaban,” the lawyer warned.
The legal team has already filed an omnibus motion for the Sta. Cruz Regional Trial Court to reconsider the arrest warrants. They argue that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provided "incomplete and one-sided" information to the judge, allegedly excluding Ang’s counter-affidavits which they claim prove a lack of evidence.
Despite being the subject of an intense search by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Villareal confirmed that Ang remains in the Philippines and has no intention of fleeing. He appealed to officials to avoid inflammatory statements that could prejudice the case.
“Sana ay maghinahon, para tayo masyadong excited at baka nag o-overreact tayo sa sitwasyon. Si Mr. Ang po ay isang inosenteng tao. Under our Constitution at sa ating sistema ng batas, siya ay presumed innocent until he is proven guilty in court by the government,” Villareal added.
Charlie "Atong" Ang is a well-known figure in the local gaming and cockfighting industry, famously tied to the "online sabong" or e-sabong operations that boomed during the pandemic. He is currently facing charges of kidnapping and h0micide in connection with the disappearance of over 30 cockfight enthusiasts, or sabungeros, between 2021 and 2022. The case was recently reignited by the testimonies of whistleblowers who were former security personnel for the tycoon.
The legal battle over the missing sabungeros continues to intensify as the government pushes for the businessman's immediate arrest. For more details on the earlier stages of this legal saga, you may read these related reports:
The Department of Justice previously moved to file charges against Atong Ang and two dozen other individuals following a lengthy investigation. The resolution followed the emergence of key witnesses who provided chilling details about the alleged abductions. This development marked the first major breakthrough for the families of the victims who have been searching for answers for years.
A Regional Trial Court in Laguna officially ordered the arrest of gaming tycoon Atong Ang and 17 other respondents. The court issued the warrant for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, which are non-bailable offenses. While several police officers and civilians were successfully taken into custody, Ang remained at large, prompting a nationwide manhunt.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
