(Photo courtesy of PNA)
MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday, October 21, called for an investigation into possible security lapses following reports that fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang had fled the Philippines through an unauthorized exit route.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said authorities must determine how Ang allegedly managed to leave the country despite an ongoing manhunt and establish whether negligence or misconduct contributed to his reported escape.
“Hindi natin masasabi na mayroon agad culprit, mayroon agad nagpabaya. So, hayaan na natin muna kung papaano ito iimbestigahan para malaman natin kung sino ba talaga ang may pagkukulang,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
Her statement followed Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s claim Tuesday that Ang had already left the country through a so-called backdoor route.
Remulla, however, did not specify when or how the businessman allegedly escaped.
Castro acknowledged the need to tighten border security, particularly in maritime areas where unauthorized departures may go undetected.
“Noon pa dapat,” she said when asked whether the government should strengthen its border security measures.
She noted that the Philippines’ geography presents challenges in monitoring unauthorized entry and exit points.
“Hindi nakakatuwa na may nakakaalpas na pugante na dapat na managot,” Castro added.
Ang faces multiple arrest warrants in connection with the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts, commonly known as sabungeros, between 2021 and 2022.
Amid concerns raised by the victims’ families, Castro stressed that the cases would not automatically prescribe simply because an accused remains at large.
She assured the public that the Marcos administration would continue efforts to locate fugitives and pursue accountability in the missing sabungeros cases.
Authorities have yet to publicly establish the circumstances surrounding Ang’s reported departure or identify individuals who may have facilitated his alleged escape.
