Search for Atong Ang in 18 areas turns up empty

Search for Atong Ang in 18 areas turns up empty | Daily Tribune

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Thursday the search for fugitive gambling lord Atong Ang remains negative despite operations in 18 locations nationwide, citing the suspect’s alleged deep connections within government as a major obstacle.

Remulla said Ang’s financial resources and influence have made it difficult for authorities to secure reliable information on his whereabouts.

“Yung penetration niya (Ang) sa lahat ng hanay ng gobyerno. Sa dami ng pera niya, ang hirap maghanap ngayon ng katiwala na utusan o bigyan ka ng solid na trabaho para mahanap siya. We know ganun kalalim 'yun. P1 billion a day for five years ang kinikita niya,” Remulla said in an ambush interview at Camp Crame during the observance of Philippine National Police Day.

Remulla said police have searched 18 locations across the country over the past 20 days but have yet to locate Ang. He added that Ang is believed to be either in Cambodia or Thailand, based on the statement of whistleblower Julie Patidongan, although authorities have not confirmed any physical sighting.

The Interior secretary said the Philippines has an extradition treaty with Cambodia, which could facilitate Ang’s return if he is found there. He also noted that coordination may be easier this year as the Philippines chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Remulla said it is also possible that Ang remains in the Philippines, as the Bureau of Immigration reported no record of recent overseas travel by the fugitive.

“But, his world is getting smaller. Kung nasa Cambodia yan, may extradition tayo, makukuha natin siya. Ang problema na naman, napakaraming salapi niyan. Pero, hindi posible lahat yan. Si Teves, maraming salapi, pero nakuha pa rin natin sa Timor Leste. So, ngayon na pangulo ng Asean ang ating presidente, baka sakali ang coordination meeting niya mas maganda," Remulla said.

Ang is the subject of arrest warrants issued by two courts over his alleged involvement in the disappearance of sabungeros linked to his cockfighting operations.

He has been named the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s most wanted person in connection with the disappearance of more than 30 cockfight enthusiasts, with a ₱10-million reward offered for information leading to his arrest.