Fugitive businessman Atong Ang has allegedly been moving from one location to another across Calabarzon as police continue efforts to locate him, authorities said.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Ang has been moving around different areas in Calabarzon every two days. Remulla described the arrangement as a deliberate tactic meant to make it harder for authorities to track him down.
Remulla also said Ang was reportedly seen in Cavite about a month ago before escaping another police operation.
Remulla said authorities immediately mounted a large-scale operation after receiving intelligence on Ang’s alleged whereabouts. Around 300 personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) joined the raid, but Ang had already fled before officers reached the property.
Investigators later found food still inside the house when officers arrived, indicating that Ang had only recently left the area.
“We acted very fast, as fast as we could. Full force ang CIDG. I think, 300 ‘yung raiding team namin na pumasok sa lugar. Pero wala na pala pagdating namin,” Remulla said regarding the failed Cavite operation against Ang.
Authorities said Ang allegedly borrowed the Cavite property from a former girlfriend, while investigators continue verifying the actual owner of the house. Remulla also dismissed claims that the police operation had been leaked, saying officers surrendered their cellphones before the mission began.
Ang is currently facing kidnapping with homicide and serious illegal detention charges tied to the disappearance of at least 34 sabungeros between 2021 and 2022. He has denied the accusations, while authorities continue offering a P20-million reward for information leading to his arrest.
