Information that fugitive gambling lord Atong Ang may already be in Cambodia, allegedly operating online sabong (cockfighting) activities there, surfaced on Thursday, prompting Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla to say authorities are still validating the reports.

Remulla maintained that law enforcement agencies remain confident that Ang is still in the Philippines.

“May information na nasa Cambodia, but that’s raw information… kasi nag-set up siya ng online sabong sa Cambodia,” Remulla said in an early radio interview.

The DILG chief said authorities are working on the cancellation of Ang’s passport to prevent him from traveling abroad. He added that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. may request Ang’s arrest from the Cambodian government should the information be confirmed.

“Kapag i-cancel po ’yan, ang ASEAN magiging chairman ang ating pangulo. Puwede niya pang i-request ’yan sa kapwa pangulo niya o hari yata sa Cambodia,” Remulla said.

“Katulad ng ginawa kay Teves. Ni-request niya ’yun sa Timor-Leste, tapos sinuli dito,” he added, referring to former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., who was arrested in Timor-Leste in May 2025 in connection with the killing of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Remulla also reported that authorities have received tips that led to eight operations, but Ang was not found in the reported locations, despite a P10-million reward offered for information leading to his arrest.