Similar to the great escape artist Harry Houdini, business tycoon Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang eluded arrest despite authorities coming close to capturing the self-professed gambling lord, according to interior and local government secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla Jr.
Law enforcement agents set a hot pursuit operation following reports that the fugitive businessmen was recently spotted in an undisclosed location in the country.
In a television interview, Remulla told the media that law enforcers received a credible “eyewitness sighting” of Ang on April 9, but arrived a day too late to successfully apprehend him.
“Hindi namin naabutan, pero may actual report na nakita siya rito,” the former Cavite governor remarked, indicating that the authorities just missed their chance to catch him and maybe someone tipped off Ang about the pursuit.
However, based on this development, the DILG chief believes Ang has not left the Philippines, belying reports that their target might have fled abroad, with possible locations including Vietnam and Cambodia.
In a separate interview, Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval disclosed that they have no record of Ang departing the country.
Since courts in Region IV-A issued warrants of arrest against him in January and February, Ang has been in hiding, prompting the government to offer a ₱20-million bounty for his capture.
He is facing serious charges, including kidnapping with homicide and illegal detention, in connection with the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts, popularly known as the ‘missing sabungeros’, who have been unaccounted for since 2021.