Executive Summary
- A Philippine police team has been sent to Cambodia to hunt for fugitive tycoon Atong Ang.
- Ang faces charges related to the disappearance of at least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts.
- Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla cited Ang’s financial resources as a factor in his potential flight.
- Domestic raids continue, with 40 tips received pointing to locations within the Philippines.
- Ang’s legal team has challenged the validity of the arrest warrants issued in January.
Philippine authorities have deployed a specialized police team to Cambodia to search for gambling tycoon Atong Ang, who faces kidnapping charges linked to the disappearance of over 30 cockfighting enthusiasts, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Secretary Remulla confirmed the deployment on Tuesday during an interview with ANC, stating that law enforcement personnel are coordinating with counterparts in Cambodia to verify if Ang has fled the country. Although the Bureau of Immigration has no official record of Ang departing the Philippines, officials suspect he may have utilized illicit channels to evade arrest. Remulla noted that while there is no specific intelligence confirming Ang’s presence in Cambodia, the possibility cannot be ruled out given the suspect’s substantial financial resources.
“We are looking at possible entry points,” Remulla stated. He emphasized that Ang possesses estimated liquid assets of at least P10 billion, which could theoretically facilitate movement across borders without detection. “If you had P10 billion cash, you can buy off so many people to get in and out of any location. We’re examining all the details,” the secretary added.
Domestic search operations remain active alongside the international effort. According to Remulla, police have raided at least 18 locations across the Philippines in the past two weeks. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group National Capital Region reported receiving 40 tips via dedicated hotlines, suggesting potential sightings in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and the Bicol Region. Authorities are currently validating these leads.
The manhunt follows arrest warrants issued earlier in January by Regional Trial Courts in Santa Cruz, Laguna, and Lipa City, Batangas. While 21 co-accused individuals are already in government custody regarding the case, Ang’s legal defense team has challenged the court order, describing the move to arrest him as “premature.”
Investigative Outlook
The expansion of the search into Cambodia signifies a strategic shift in the investigation, acknowledging the difficulties of apprehending high-profile suspects with significant means. This development underscores the reliance on international law enforcement cooperation to close potential loopholes in border security. As authorities pursue leads both domestically and abroad, the focus remains on securing the suspect to proceed with the judicial process regarding the unresolved disappearances. It is important to note that all individuals, including Atong Ang, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
