Atong Ang may be hiding in Cambodia — DILG chief Remulla

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January 22, 2026 | 4:46pm

MANILA, Philippines — Fugitive gaming tycoon Atong Ang is possibly in Cambodia, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said. 

In a press briefing on Thursday, January 22, Remulla said that he received reports indicating that Ang had gone to Cambodia, following information that gaming operations in the Philippines had ceased and later shifted there. 

He noted that reports also pointed to Ang allegedly having e-sabong–related operations and his own gaming outfit in Cambodia. 

“We are in contact with the police authorities there. Magcocoordinate na ang ating PNP (Philippine National Police) para makakuha ng more solid information,” he said.

(The PNP is now coordinating to gather more solid information.)

When asked how Ang possibly got out of the country despite an Immigration Lookout Bulletin issued against him, Remulla said that they speculate that he exited the Philippines through “backdoor” channels. 

“Kung andoon siya, sa backdoor siya dumaan,” Remulla said.

The Bureau of Immigration, through spokesperson Dana Sandoval, confirmed to Philstar.com that there are no records of Ang’s departure. 

(If he was there, he went through the back door.)

However, he emphasized that the information about Ang’s whereabouts is not yet confirmed. 

“This is speculative. Wala pang nagpapakita ng solid proof na nandon siya,” Remulla said. 

(This is speculative. There has yet to be solid proof that he is there.)

Surrendered firearms. Ang also surrendered firearms through his lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, according to Remulla.

The gaming tycoon surrendered five of his six firearms, one of which is reportedly missing. 

Despite his surrender of firearms, the DILG chief said that Ang is still considered “armed and dangerous.”

“But despite the surrender of his firearms, we still consider him armed and dangerous. Dahil dalawa po ang bodyguard niya,” Remulla said. (But despite the surrender of his firearms, we still consider him armed and dangerous. Because he still have two bodyguards.)

“Kahit wala na siyang firearms under his name, ‘yong mga taong nakapagligid sa kanya ay armado pa rin,” he added.

(Even though he does not have firearms under his name, the people around him are still armed.)

Two Regional Trial Courts in Region IV-A, Sta Cruz, Laguna and Lipa, sought Ang for kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention over the case of the missing sabungeros. 

All of Ang’s co-accused are now in custody, which leaves Ang the only one at large.

The law enforcement authorities have already searched the known whereabouts of Ang in different places, but failed to find the tycoon.