Atong Ang allegedly met with jai alai operators

CHARLIE "Atong" Ang, a former gambling buddy of deposed President Joseph Estrada, was reportedly in Negros Occidental again last Friday and Saturday for a series of meetings with alleged jai alai operators in the province.

Text messages circulated that Ang held a meeting with some jai alai operators in a first-class hotel and in a restaurant at a shopping center in Bacolod City.

Though the police regularly apprehends some jai alai bet collectors all over the province, big-time operators allegedly continue to flourish with their illegal numbers game operation.

A Sun.Star Bacolod source said that Ang allegedly controls the illegal numbers game operation in the province. The alleged financiers and operators reportedly remit part of their collection to Ang.

Before the jai alai operation in the province went into full swing, reports persisted that Ang also visited Negros Occidental and met with the mayors all over the province. However, no one, especially the mayors, confirmed that such a meeting took place.

Former Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante, presently an executive assistant of Governor Alfedo Maranon Jr., conceded months ago that Ang is his friend and that he often comes to the province to buy fighting cocks. (Teresa Ellera-Dulla)