PNP Verifying Reports of Gambling Tycoon Atong Ang Fleeing PH Amid Sabungero Disappearances

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it was verifying reports that gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang, the alleged mastermind behind the disappearance of at least 34 cockfighting aficionados (sabungeros), had fled the country. “The last known place he had gone to—of course, that was a long time ago—was still here in the Philippines,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. told reporters in an interview at Camp Crame. “If there were reports that he had already fled the country, we are verifying them. But, most likely, he is still here in the Philippines,” he added. READ: Remulla: Atong Ang moving around Calabarzon every 2 days to evade arrest Ang is wanted by courts in Laguna and Batangas in connection with the reported kidnapping and killing of at least 34 sabungeros who allegedly cheated in his games between 2021 and 2022. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously said Ang was nearly caught by police at a residence in Cavite earlier this year but slipped away a day before operatives raided the house. According to Remulla, Ang traveled with a small team and moved around Calabarzon every other day to evade arrest. The secretary earlier said his agency was looking into information supposedly provided by sabungeros whistleblower Julie Patidongan, also known as Totoy or Dondon, who claimed Ang had fled to Cambodia. However, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Ang was not in the country. /mcm