Vida turns elusive about Atong Ang

Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Fredderick Vida said he cannot confirm reports that businessman Atong Ang, the alleged mastermind in the disappearance of several sabungeros, has left the country.

The DoJ chief said there is no record of Ang leaving the Bureau of Immigration; therefore, he cannot confirm whether he is already out of the country, contrary to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s statement on Tuesday.

“So, I cannot confirm that he is already out of the country since we will rely on what we have in immigration records. And based on immigration records, it was not indicated that he left,” Vida said.

Meanwhile, when asked how the DoJ is handling the cases, Vida said the DoJ will continue pursuing them.

“Because of the nature of the case, these are murder cases; no, we pursue our mandate. Our prosecutors pursue trying the case. We continue to present the relevant pieces of evidence that we can before the court,” Vida said.

Not fatal to case

He said that, “Although we see these as challenges, we don’t see this as fatal to the case. We continue with the prosecution of the case.”