The government is continuing to investigate reports that Charlie “Atong” Ang may have fled to Cambodia or Thailand, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. The information came from whistleblower Julie Patidongan, a former employee and associate of a prominent cockfighting businessman who has an existing warrant of arrest in Laguna and Batangas for the kidnapping and disappearance of cockfighters.
According to Remulla, there are reports that Ang is operating online sabong in Cambodia, indicating that he may have already established a network there, as well as in some parts of Thailand. He also mentioned that some Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) have moved to the Cambodia-Thailand border after POGO was banned in the country.
Remulla said that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has no record of Ang leaving the Philippines, so he believes it is possible that he is still here. However, he also did not rule out the possibility that Ang escaped through a backdoor. “If it is true that he left, it is likely the backdoor is his way,” he explained.
So far, the tracker teams have conducted eight raids based on tips from informants, but nothing has been discovered in areas such as game farms in Lipa City, Porac, and Negros Island, as well as Ang's house in Greenmeadows Subdivision, Pasig and his brother's house in Makati. If it is confirmed that he is in Cambodia or Thailand, it will be announced to President Marcos, who has the ability to directly communicate with the leaders of the two countries as the current ASEAN Chairman.
Although Ang has surrendered five of his six firearms, authorities still consider him armed and dangerous due to his extensive resources. Remulla also ordered the tracker teams to wear body cameras to prevent possible corruption during the raid. Meanwhile, according to the BI, they have no record of Ang's recent travel abroad, but they continue to provide intelligence support to the Department of Justice.
