MANILA – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is looking into information suggesting that fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang could be in Cambodia, even as officials insist there is still reason to believe he remains in the country.
DILG secretary Jonvic Remulla said intelligence reaching his office points to possible overseas activity linked to Ang, who is wanted in connection with the disappearance of several sabungeros.
“May information na nasa Cambodia. But that’s raw information… Kasi nag-set up siya ng online sabong sa Cambodia,” Remulla said in a radio interview.
While the report has not yet been fully verified, Remulla stressed that law enforcement agencies are continuing their efforts to locate Ang locally. At the same time, authorities are moving to cancel his passport to block any potential international travel.
Remulla said the Philippine government may seek the assistance of Cambodian authorities if it is confirmed that Ang is no longer in the country.
“Kapag i-cancel po ’yan, ang ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) magiging chairman ang ating Pangulo. Puwede niya pang i-request ’yan sa kapwa pangulo niya o hari yata sa Cambodia,” he said.
“Katulad ng ginawa kay Teves. Ni-request niya ’yun sa Timor-Leste, tapos sinuli dito,” Remulla added.
The DILG chief was referring to the arrest of former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. in Timor-Leste in 2025.
Teves is a suspect in the killing of Gov. Roel Degamo.
Ang is facing multiple charges of kidnapping with homicide and serious illegal detention linked to the high-profile missing sabungeros case. Arrest warrants have already been issued against him and several others, but Ang remains the only suspect who has not been apprehended.
Following the announcement of a P10-million reward for information leading to his capture, Remulla said authorities have carried out eight separate operations based on tips from the public, none of which led to Ang’s arrest.
In addition to the manhunt, Ang’s gun licenses have been revoked. Of the six firearms registered in his name, only five were turned over to police in Mandaluyong City, with his lawyer saying one remains unaccounted for.
Philippine authorities have also sought the issuance of an Interpol red notice, which would allow law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally detain Ang while extradition or other legal steps are pursued.
Ang has denied all accusations against him.
His lawyer, Atty. Gabriel Villareal, earlier criticized the arrest warrant issued by a Laguna court, calling it “premature” and “legally questionable.”
“Clearly, the court merely acted on the incomplete and one-sided information provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in its determination of probable cause, without having even seen the counter affidavits and exculpatory evidence of the respondents, including that of Mr. Ang,” Villareal said./PN
