Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday dismissed as “unfair” the criticism raised by former election commissioner Rowena Guanzon over the P10-million reward offered for information leading to the arrest of fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang.

Guanzon earlier claimed that authorities already know Ang’s whereabouts and that the reward could simply be pocketed.

“That’s a very unfair statement. Kung alam ko lang ’yun, it is to my interest na makuha siya kaagad. Ba’t ko pa gagawa ng drama ’yan?” Remulla said.

He added that he personally authorized the reward, which is funded by his office, noting that delaying Ang’s arrest would run counter to his own interests.

Remulla said police have conducted several operations based on intelligence reports. “Nakatatlong raid na kami in the last two days… all negative,” he said, adding that authorities remain active in pursuing Ang, with more operations planned in the coming days.

Tracking down a fugitive with substantial financial resources is more difficult, Remulla noted, but authorities will use all government resources to capture him. “Maraming pera eh… pero ang pera niya hindi katumbas ang pera ng buong gobyerno,” he said.

Remulla also said there are “no indications” that Ang has already left the country, adding that the fugitive has been flagged with Interpol.