The Philippine National Police has opened an internal inquiry into allegations that some of its own personnel have been assisting businessman Atong Ang, who is currently listed as the most wanted individual by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, in avoiding arrest.
In a Balita report, PNP Public Information Office chief and spokesperson PBGEN Randulf T. Tuaño said the matter has been elevated to investigative units to determine the identities of police officers suspected of providing protection to Ang. He confirmed that coordination is already underway with the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management to trace those involved.
“Meron po [sanction ang PNP]. Sa katunayan nga, last week pa po ‘yan na binigyan ng instruction ng ating Chief PNP ‘yong atin pong DIBM kung saan kinuha po nila ‘yong profile ng mga indibidwal po sa atin pong DPRM [Directorate for Personnel and Records Management],” Tuaño said.
According to the police spokesperson, the profiles gathered are now being reviewed alongside legal experts to assess possible liabilities. He noted that both administrative penalties and criminal cases are being considered against any officers proven to have aided Ang’s evasion.
“At pinag-aaralan kasama po ‘yong ating legal service kung ano po ‘yong mga administrative at posibleng criminal sanctions po ng mga nabanggit o identified na mga indibidwal,” he added.
Tuaño clarified that authorities have not yet established a definitive number of police officers linked to the alleged protection network, aside from those already identified through initial findings.
“Wala pa po [kabuuang bilang] maliban doon sa na identified na po natin at patuloy pa po na inaalam kung ilan pa po ‘yong mga posibleng tumutulong sa kaniya [Atong Ang],” he said.
He further disclosed that information received by the PNP indicates the involvement of both active-duty and retired police officers, a detail that has been included in the directive issued by the Chief PNP to investigators handling the case.
“Kasama po ‘yon, Ma’am, doon sa kautusan ng ating Chief PNP sa impormasyon na nakuha natin—’yong may mga active at mga retired na tumutulong po sa nasabing personalidad,” Tuaño said.
