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Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. holds a press conference at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
The STAR / Miguel de Guzman
MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has ordered the Philippine National Police to fully mobilize its 225,000-strong force in an intensified nationwide hunt for high-profile fugitives, including personalities now subject to Interpol notices.
In a Department of the Interior and Local Government statement released Monday, May 11, Remulla said he challenged PNP commanders during a recent command conference to become more aggressive in locating businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang, former police officer Rafael Dumlao III and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.
"Sabi ko, 200,000 kayo. Alangan namang 'di n'yo kaya hanapin, tatlong tao lang. Galingan n'yo pa," Remulla said. (I told them: there are 200,000 of you. Surely you can find just three people. Do better.)
"So chinallenge ko sila na yung 200,000 dapat lahat ma-harness para mahanap ang tatlong tao ito," he added. (So I challenged them to harness the full 200,000-man force to find these three people.)
Philippine authorities have been on a months-long manhunt for several fugitives tied to high-profile criminal and corruption cases.
The DILG said the PNP has since intensified its operational focus and coordination strategies, including efforts extending beyond Philippine borders.
Interpol notices
Remulla also confirmed Monday that Interpol Red Notices have been issued against former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, Ang and Dumlao.
Ang is wanted in connection with the missing sabungeros case. A Laguna court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against him and others in January for kidnapping with homicide charges.
Bantag, meanwhile, is wanted for the killing of broadcaster Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa and the death of alleged middleman Jun Villamor.
Dumlao was linked to the 2016 kidnapping and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo.
An Interpol Red Notice has been requested against Co in September 2025, although it has yet to be granted, Remulla said.
Co, a former House appropriations chairman and founder of contractor Sunwest Construction, has been facing graft and malversation charges tied to a flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. The government has been on a campaign for his return. Reports reaching Manila indicate that he is seeking asylum in France.
A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.
Interpol, however, has stressed that a Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant and that member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to detain a subject.
