MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 12, 2026 — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has raised the reward for information leading to the arrest of gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang to ₱20 million, doubling the previous ₱10 million bounty.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the increase during a press briefing, stressing that authorities are determined to bring Ang to justice. “We are increasing the bounty for Atong Ang to ₱20 million for information leading to his arrest. We’re serious here,” Remulla said, adding that the funds will come from the confidential allocations of the DILG and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Ang is wanted by courts in Laguna and Batangas on multiple counts of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of at least 34 cockfighting aficionados, or “sabungeros,” between 2021 and 2022. Arrest warrants have already been issued against him and several associates. Philippine authorities have also requested the issuance of an Interpol red notice, which would alert law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest Ang pending extradition or surrender.

The missing sabungeros case has been one of the country’s most high-profile criminal controversies in recent years, drawing widespread public outrage and calls for accountability. Ang, a well-known figure in the gambling industry, has denied involvement in the disappearances, but investigators continue to pursue leads linking him to the crimes.

The increased bounty underscores the government’s determination to resolve the case and deliver justice to the families of the victims. Authorities are urging the public to come forward with credible information that could lead to Ang’s arrest, emphasizing that the safety of witnesses and informants will be guaranteed. 

Bounties Are a Sign of Weak Reach

Raising a bounty to ₱20 million sends a message of urgency, but it also signals something else: the state is struggling to enforce its own warrants through normal channels. When capture depends on paid tips, law enforcement starts to look less like a system and more like a negotiation.

In high-profile cases involving powerful figures, bounties become a substitute for certainty. They create pressure, attract attention, and encourage cooperation, but they also expose the limits of institutional reach, especially when suspects have networks, resources, and time on their side.

Using confidential funds adds another layer of concern. If justice requires secrecy and rewards, what does that reveal about how hard it is to hold influence accountable in the first place?