DILG says Atong Ang may have fled to Cambodia as manhunt continues

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said it is verifying reports that fugitive gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang has fled to Cambodia, though authorities maintain he is likely still within the Philippines.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed receiving “raw information” suggesting Ang may have escaped through a “backdoor” route to establish online cockfighting (online sabong) operations in Cambodia. 

The lead was reportedly provided by a whistleblower, Julie Patidongan, who claimed Ang has the resources and networks to settle in the Cambodia-Thailand border region.  

“There is information that he is in Cambodia… because he set up online sabong there,” Remulla said in a radio interview. “But we are still confident he is here in the country.”

The DILG chief added that the government is already moving to cancel Ang’s passport to restrict his movement. 

He noted that if Ang’s presence in Cambodia is confirmed, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could personally request his arrest and repatriation through ASEAN diplomatic channels, citing the previous successful return of former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. from Timor-Leste.  

The manhunt for Ang has intensified following the issuance of a P10-million reward for information leading to his arrest. 

Law enforcement agencies have conducted eight separate operations across various provinces—including raids on game fowl farms and properties linked to associates—but all have yielded negative results.  

Ang is facing multiple arrest warrants for kidnapping with homicide and serious illegal detention in connection with the 2021-2022 disappearance of dozens of cockfight aficionados, known as the “missing sabungeros” case. 

He is currently the only high-profile suspect remaining at large out of 22 individuals charged.  

Earlier this week, Ang’s legal counsel surrendered five of the businessman’s firearms to the Philippine National Police (PNP) after his gun licenses were revoked. 

Authorities continue to monitor the country’s coastlines and coordinates with the Bureau of Immigration, which currently has no record of Ang legally departing the country.