Businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang has gone into hiding and has no plans to surrender to authorities following the issuance of his arrest warrant in relation to the case of the missing “sabungeros” or cockfight enthusiasts, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said.

In a report by RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort on Thursday, NBI Assistant Director for Investigation Service Rommel Vallejo said that, to prove Ang’s innocence, it would be best for him to cooperate with law enforcement and speed up the case.

In addition, the agency has not received informal signals or any indication of surrender from Ang’s camp.

“Wala tayong nare-receive (na) any feelers coming from the group or from Mr. Atong Ang himself. But definitely, it would be much appreciated, and advice na rin siguro, mas maganda na sumurender nalang siya, para na rin gumulong ng mas mabilis ang kasong ito,” said the NBI.

Tracking teams are currently scouring all of Ang’s known properties and addresses, not only in Metro Manila, but in provinces as well, Vallejo said. He admitted, however, that Ang’s vast resources—including personnel and money—pose a challenge to the manhunt.

“Alam naman natin na maraming tauhan siya, madami siyang pera, madaming resources, at maraming lugar na puwedeng pagtaguan… Pero hindi po ‘yan dapat maging hadlang sa paghahanap natin sa kanya. Siyempre, hindi namang puwedeng mas magaling siya sa gobyerno, sa law enforcement community,” he said.

Nonetheless, Deputy Director for Operations Atty. Jose Justo Yap expressed confidence that Ang has not yet fled the country through a backdoor, according to credible information and records from the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

On Wednesday, the Sta. Cruz, Laguna Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 26 issued an arrest warrant against Ang for non-bailable kidnapping and homicide.