Philippine Police Pursue Fugitive Tycoon in Cambodia
The Philippine government has dispatched a police liaison officer to Cambodia to track down fugitive gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, a move officials say tightens the net around a suspect wanted for a string of kidnappings linked to the disappearance of at least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed the deployment on Thursday, signaling that the manhunt has formally crossed borders.
“Cambodia, nandoon na ’yung liaison natin. Dito, in the last 20 days, 18 sites na ang ni-raid natin, all negative. But his world is getting smaller, paliit nang paliit iyan,” Remulla said. He added that the Philippines’ extradition treaty with Cambodia would allow authorities to secure Ang’s return if his presence there is confirmed: “Kung nasa Cambodia ’yan, may extradition tayo, makukuha natin siya.”
A Flight Without Records
Ang, a prominent figure in the country’s high-stakes gambling industry, is the lone fugitive among 21 accused in cases that include kidnapping with homicide, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention. Courts in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, and Lipa City have issued arrest warrants, yet investigators say Ang appears to have vanished without leaving a paper trail.
The Bureau of Immigration has reported no official exit records in Ang’s name, prompting speculation he may have used “backdoor” routes out of the country. Over the past 20 days, police teams conducted raids at 18 locations across the Philippines, from Metro Manila to the provinces, all yielding no sign of the suspect.
Cambodia Leads and a Regional Pivot
The shift toward Cambodia follows unverified intelligence suggesting Ang may have relocated there, possibly tied to plans to establish online sabong (e-sabong) operations. Remulla cautioned that the information remains raw but sufficient to warrant international coordination.
The National Bureau of Investigation said it has already reached out to Cambodian counterparts. “Our International Operations Division has promptly drafted a letter for the director’s signature, which will facilitate our coordination with our counterparts in Cambodia to inquire if he has entered the country, and to gather any relevant information regarding his whereabouts,” NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari said.
Authorities are also pursuing an Interpol red notice, which would alert law enforcement worldwide to provisionally arrest Ang pending extradition.
Reward, Tips, and a Broad Dragnet
To accelerate the search, the government has posted a ₱10 million reward for information leading to Ang’s arrest. The incentive has generated about 40 public tips, all of which are being validated by the Philippine National Police, including the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Police have ordered search teams nationwide—across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao—to continue checking leads, with officers required to wear body cameras during operations to deter bribery and ensure transparency.
Despite the international pivot, some investigators remain cautiously optimistic that Ang could still be hiding domestically. “As long as he’s not abroad and he’s here, we’re 100 percent hopeful that we’ll find him,” said Col. John Guiagui, chief of the PNP’s CIDU-NCR.
Armed and Dangerous
Ang’s lawyer has surrendered five of six registered firearms to authorities, but one weapon remains unaccounted for. Officials continue to classify Ang as “armed and dangerous”, citing the potential presence of bodyguards.
The label underscores the gravity of the case, which centers on the disappearance of sabungeros—men drawn from a popular pastime that cuts across social classes in the Philippines. Investigators believe the victims were abducted amid disputes in the underground betting world, a shadow economy that has increasingly migrated online.
Legal Pushback From the Defense
Ang’s legal team disputes the warrants, arguing they were issued prematurely. His counsel, Atty. Gabriel Villareal, has said: “Clearly, the court merely acted on the incomplete and one-sided information provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in its determination of probable cause, without having even seen the counter affidavits and exculpatory evidence of the respondents, including that of Mr. Ang.”
Earlier, Ang filed complaints against individuals who accused him in the sabungeros case, insisting the allegations are false.
A Case With Wider Stakes
Beyond one manhunt, the search for Ang has become a barometer of the state’s resolve against organized gambling-linked crime. The missing sabungeros—still unaccounted for years later—remain a stark reminder of the human cost borne by ordinary families.
For now, officials say the investigation is narrowing Ang’s options. With a liaison on the ground in Cambodia, an extradition treaty at the ready, and an international alert in motion, the pursuit resembles a tightening vise—slow, methodical, and increasingly difficult to evade.
