Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Monday reiterated the P20 million reward for information leading to the arrest of fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, as he underscored the vital role of informants in recent successful police operations.
Speaking at Camp Crame, Nartatez made the appeal during a ceremony awarding P4.14 million in incentives to 21 informants whose tips led to the capture of 21 wanted individuals facing various criminal charges.
One informant received P1 million for providing information that led to the arrest of Hanelyn Cespedes, who faces 54 counts of violating Republic Act 10168, or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012. The remaining P3.14 million was distributed among informants linked to the arrest of 20 other suspects accused of crimes including murder, kidnapping, rape, and violations of laws protecting children.
“Each of our informants played a crucial role in the successful police operations that led to the arrest of wanted persons,” Nartatez said, emphasizing that community cooperation is key to maintaining peace and order.
He described the informants’ involvement as proof of strong collaboration between the public and law enforcement, noting that arrests would be far more difficult without civilian assistance.
Nartatez also reminded the public of several high-profile fugitives still at large, including Ang, who has been linked to the case of missing sabungeros. The reward for Ang’s arrest was initially set at P10 million by Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla in January before being doubled to P20 million the following month.
Authorities last tracked Ang in the Calabarzon region, but police failed to apprehend him after arriving too late, according to Remulla.
Other wanted figures cited by the PNP chief include former Bureau of Corrections director Gerald Bantag, who is accused in the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa; retired police officer Rafael Dumlao, wanted in the 2016 murder of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo; and Zaldy Co, who faces graft and malversation charges tied to a flood control project in Oriental Mindoro and is reportedly abroad.
Nartatez urged the public to continue sharing information with authorities, stressing that rewards remain available for credible leads that could result in arrests.
“We still have wanted persons, especially Atong Ang. The head price is P20 million,” he said.