Palace seeks probe into alleged 'escape' of fugitive businessman Atong Ang

MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday called for an investigation into possible lapses in law enforcement after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla claimed that fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang had left the Philippines through a backdoor route.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said authorities must establish whether negligence occurred and determine who, if anyone, should be held accountable.

“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 (We cannot immediately identify a culprit or conclude that someone was negligent. Let the investigation proceed so we can determine who, if anyone, was at fault),” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

Remulla said Tuesday that Ang had left the country through a “backdoor” route but did not disclose when or how he managed to leave despite the ongoing manhunt.

Castro acknowledged the need to strengthen border security, particularly along the country’s maritime backdoor routes.

“Noon pa dapat (It should have done so earlier),” Castro said when asked whether border security should be recalibrated. She noted that the Philippines’ geography allows people to leave through routes that authorities may not immediately detect.

“Hindi nakakatuwa na may nakakaalpas na pugante na dapat na managot (It is not acceptable that a fugitive who should be held accountable can escape),” she added.

Ang is facing multiple arrest warrants in connection with the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts, or “sabungeros,” from 2021 to 2022.

Asked about the concerns of victims’ families over the latest development, Castro said the cases would not prescribe simply because an accused remained at large.

She also assured the public that the administration would continue pursuing fugitives and seeking accountability in the missing sabungeros cases.

-Darryl John Esguerra/Philippine News Agency