(Photo courtesy of PNA)
MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to have confidence in Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla despite the failure of authorities to apprehend several high-profile fugitives, Malacañang said Wednesday, October 21.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said there was no indication that Remulla had lost the President’s trust amid questions over law enforcement efforts to locate wanted individuals.
“Sa ngayon wala tayong masasabing hindi. Kasi kung wala, masasabi ko na sa inyo,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
Her statement followed Remulla’s disclosure Tuesday that fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang had reportedly fled the Philippines through an unauthorized exit route.
Ang faces multiple arrest warrants in connection with the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts, commonly known as sabungeros, between 2021 and 2022.
Castro said the Palace had yet to discuss Ang’s reported departure with Marcos, stressing that authorities must first investigate possible security lapses before assigning responsibility.
“Kung sino may mandato rito, magtrabaho sila. Kung mayroong mga pagkukulang dito, dapat malaman ito ng Pangulo,” she said.
The Palace official emphasized that government agencies responsible for tracking fugitives must fulfill their duties and determine whether negligence contributed to the reported escape.
Aside from Ang, several prominent personalities facing criminal charges or international legal proceedings remain beyond the reach of Philippine authorities.
Among them is former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, who faces graft-related charges, including plunder, over alleged irregularities involving flood-control projects.
Co was detained by Czech authorities in April over travel-document issues before reportedly being transferred to France, where Philippine officials said he was seeking political asylum. His possible return to the Philippines remains unresolved.
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also remains abroad while facing a qualified human trafficking case linked to an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Porac, Pampanga.
An arrest warrant was issued against Roque in May 2025. According to Remulla, his asylum application in Europe remained pending as of September, correcting an earlier statement that the request had been denied.
Meanwhile, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over alleged crimes against humanity connected to killings during the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa reportedly escaped from the Senate’s protective custody following a standoff within its premises and remains at large.
Despite the unresolved cases, Malacañang maintained that Remulla continues to enjoy the President’s confidence while authorities pursue efforts to locate wanted individuals and address possible enforcement failures.
