Photo courtesy of Avito Dalan/Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday reported that there is no record of Atong Ang traveling abroad despite reports suggesting he may have fled to Cambodia.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said official records show no legal departure by Ang and no indication that he has used any illegal channels to leave the country.
Immigration authorities continue to coordinate with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and local law enforcement to monitor potential illegal exit points, but so far, no interception of Ang has been reported.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities remain confident that Ang is still in the Philippines, although unverified reports hint he might be in Cambodia due to his online cockfighting operations there.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could request Ang’s arrest from Cambodian authorities if his location is confirmed, officials said. A P10-million reward has been offered for information leading to his capture.
Arrest warrants have been issued against Ang in connection with kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges linked to the missing sabungeros case. He is the only accused still at large, prompting Philippine authorities to request an Interpol red notice.
Ang has denied the allegations. His lawyer, Atty. Gabriel Villareal, criticized the Laguna court’s arrest warrant as “premature” and “legally questionable,” claiming it relied on incomplete and one-sided information from the Department of Justice.