Remulla: Hunt for Atong Ang continues; ‘We will find him soon’

The Philippine government’s efforts to locate businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang are ongoing, even as Cambodian authorities have denied reports that he is in their country.

In a text message to the DAILY TRIBUNE on Saturday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Philippine authorities are convinced Ang has not left the country.

“We are confident he is still here,” Remulla said.

Remulla clarified that the report linking Ang to Cambodia came from Julie Patindongan, the star witness in the high-profile missing sabungeros case. But Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement refuting the claim.

“According to an official report from the Immigration General Department of the Ministry of the Interior of Cambodia, there is no record of Charlie Tiu Hay Ang’s entry or exit at any Cambodian border checkpoints,” the statement read, adding that the clarification was meant “to dispel recent media reports suggesting that Charlie Tiu Hay Ang may be hiding in Cambodia, while a team of Philippine police officers had been dispatched to search for him.”

Following the denial from Cambodia, Remulla emphasized that Philippine authorities are pursuing every lead.

“We will have to take their word for it. The information that Atong ang was in Cambodia came from Julie Patindongan, the star witness in the missing sabungeros case. All elements of the PNP are actively searching for him. Justice will be had for the 100-plus missing sabungeros,” he said.

Remulla added that authorities have conducted nearly 20 raids on Ang’s known associates in the past month.

“We have conducted close 20 raids of his known cohorts in the last 30 or so days. We will find him soon,” he said.

Ang faces multiple arrest warrants for kidnapping with homicide, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of over 100 sabungeros.