Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Tuesday that he has sent Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel to Cambodia for possible coordination regarding the whereabouts of fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang.

Remulla said authorities are continuing to verify reports that Ang has fled to Cambodia, based on information provided by witness-whistleblower Julie Patidongan, a former associate of Ang.

“Yun ay ayon kay Julie Patidongan. It’s a suspicion and you cannot rule out anything, so lahat pinupuntahan, lahat titingnan. Andun na yung mga pulis namin ngayon, tinignan ang mga possible entry points at saka nag-coordinate na kami sa mga counterparts namin sa Cambodia para tingnan kung andun talaga siya,” Remulla said in an interview on a TV news program.

Ang has been named the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s most wanted person in connection with the disappearance of more than 30 “sabungeros” (cockfight enthusiasts), with a P10 million bounty offered for his arrest.

Remulla also said police teams searching for Ang have already checked 18 locations over the past two weeks, but results have so far been negative. He noted, however, that Ang has been on the move for years.

“Ang paniwala ko si Atong at least meron siyang P10 billion in cash kasi sa tingin ko kinita niya P1 billion a day for three years. Ilagay mo sa kanya doon kalahati, so you are talking about P150 billion a year. Marami doon ginastos niya, pero lagay mo may P10 billion cash ka ngayon—ilang tao ang kaya mong bilhin papalabas at papasok kahit saan lugar. So ine-examine namin ang lahat ng detalye. Titingnan namin kung andun siya sa Cambodia, sa Thailand, at sa lahat ng Southeast Asia. Umiikot na kami,” Remulla explained.

On Monday, Col. John Guiagui, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR), said efforts are already underway to verify reports that Ang has fled the country, particularly to Cambodia or Thailand.

Without verified physical sightings, however, Guiagui said police will continue searching for Ang within the country.

“Hangga’t wala naman siya sa ibang bansa at andito siya, 100 percent ‘yung hopes natin na mahahanap natin siya,” Guiagui said.

Authorities are still looking into three more locations in Metro Manila, but Guiagui declined to provide further details, citing ongoing operations.

“Visayas, Mindanao up to Luzon, nag-effort tayo. Kung ano ang dumating sa atin na information, we are validating,” he said.

Earlier, Remulla directed police officers to use body cameras during operations to deter possible bribery that could lead to Ang’s escape.