Alleged Atong Ang links to Tondo e-sabong probed

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating the possible links of fugitive gaming tycoon Atong Ang to e-sabong operations in Tondo, Manila and Talisay in Negros Occidental.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuano said an investigation is ongoing to determine if Ang had a hand in the operations of the e-sabong sites in Barangay Concepcion in Talisay and at the Coliseo de Manila in Tondo, which the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided on April 23 and March 24, respectively.

Tuano said there was no irregularity in the raid conducted by the CIDG on Coliseo de Manila.

He also denied the allegations by the lawyer of Coliseo de Manila that police officers stole P40,000 in fighting roosters during the raid.

Tuano said probers are also looking into the alleged links of a CIDG officer in Bacolod City to the e-sabong operation in Talisay.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday identified the officer as Maj. Edgar Tonico Jr., who heads the CIDG-Bacolod office.

Tonico was sacked from his post and was reassigned to Camp Crame while being investigated.

Ang remains in hiding after courts in Batangas and Laguna issued warrants for his arrest in connection with the kidnapping and murder of sabungeros or cockfight aficionados.