Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said fugitive gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang has left the Philippines and is believed to be in Cambodia, where authorities are now tracking him as the government intensifies its pursuit of one of the country’s most wanted suspects.
“We are confident that he is in that area,” Remulla said when asked whether Ang was in Cambodia.
The DILG chief did not disclose how Ang managed to leave the country despite an extensive manhunt involving the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies.
Remulla also said Ang controls about $3 billion (about ₱189 billion) that may have been converted into cryptocurrency, potentially giving the businessman significant resources while evading authorities. “With that kind of money, you can pay people,” Remulla said.
Ang is wanted under arrest warrants issued by courts in Batangas and Laguna for kidnapping, serious illegal detention and homicide in connection with cases involving the missing sabungeros. Remulla earlier described him as the country’s “number one most wanted,” while authorities have offered a multimillion-peso reward for information leading to his arrest. The charges remain pending before the courts.
The government has repeatedly expanded operations against Ang, including nationwide searches, checks on suspected properties and coordination beyond Philippine borders. Remulla has also overseen a series of high-profile law enforcement operations targeting wanted personalities and fugitives in recent months.
Ang, however, has remained beyond the reach of Philippine authorities despite months of operations. Police have searched multiple properties and pursued reported sightings, while investigators have examined information that he moved between the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Remulla said authorities are coordinating with foreign counterparts as the manhunt for Ang expands beyond the Philippines, with the government seeking to locate him in Cambodia and bring him back to face the pending charges.
