Atong Ang denies having protectors from NBI

Gambling operator Charlie "Atong" Ang on Friday denied Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II's claim that five agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are giving him protection.

"Nabalitaan ko na limang NBI [agents] ang sinisita-sita niya. E napapraning na siya diyan. Wala na nga akong kilala sa mga NBI na 'yan, nag-retire na 'yung mga kakilala ko," Ang said in an interview on radio dzBB.

Aguirre on Thursday said Ang admitted last week that he was informed by some NBI agents about the supposed plan to kill him and his gambling operation through Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation.

Ang is the consultant and general manager of Meridien, which is based at the Cagayan Freeport.

"May mga NBI agents na kanyang protektor. 'Yan ay up to now kakontak niya 'yan at nalaman ko na rin. May nagbigay na rin sa 'kin ng info from an NBI insider kung sino ang nagpoprotekta kay Atong Ang," Aguirre told reporters, adding he already has the identities of the five agents and directed NBI Director Dante Gierran to conduct an investigation.

Aguirre said Ang had also received protection from former agents and officials of the NBI.

But Ang belied Aguirre's claims, saying it seems like Aguirre is linking him to almost everyone.

"[H]indi ako magtataka baka mag-isip siya pati kapitbahay niya kilala ko na lahat, hindi na siya umuwi sa bahay niya," Ang said.

The gambling operator accused Aguirre and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon of plotting to assassinate him for the continued operations of his virtual jai alai numbers game.

But Aguirre dismissed Ang's allegation's as "complete fabrications."

"I categorically deny all the accusations of Atong Ang for being complete fabrications. I am ready to face any kind of investigation that might be conducted, be it legislative, criminal or administrative," Aguirre said.

Ang said that instead of making allegations against him, such as the case of the five NBI agents, Aguirre should focus their investigation on the rampant crime and killings in the country.

"Dapat dito sa DOJ, ang asikasuhin ay 'yung mga krimen. Andaming pinapatay. Salita siya nang salita sa media. Kung hindi siya magsasalita, hindi naman ako sasagot," he said.

Aguirre has already ordered the NBI to look into Ang's claims. —KBK, GMA News