Manila, Feb. 17 -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday asserted that persons coddling or helping fugitive businessman Charlie "Atong" Ang escape arrest are criminally liable under the law.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez reiterated that "any person who knowingly harbors, conceals, or assists a fugitive in evading arrest may be held criminally liable for obstruction of justice or as an accessory to the crime, depending on the facts."

"Aiding the evasion of lawful arrest is a punishable offense under the law," Martinez added in a statement.

Ang, wanted on charges arising from the disappearance and death of scores of cockfighting aficionados, has eluded arrest despite 10 raids in a span of one week conducted by law enforcement offic...