Manila, Jan. 16 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday warned friends and associates of fugitive businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang against providing him shelter or assistance, saying they could be held criminally liable.

Police tracker and intelligence teams have expanded monitoring to include backdoor exits to prevent Ang - implicated in the kidnapping and disappearance of more than a dozen cockfight enthusiasts - from fleeing the country.

In a statement, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities expect Ang to use his wealth and connections to evade arrest.

"We expect him to use his huge reserve of resources to avoid being caught. But I advise him to use that (resources) instead to defend himself i...