Palace: Probe possible lapses in Atong Ang’s escape

MANILA, Philippines —  Malacañang has called for an investigation to determine whether there were lapses that allowed businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang to leave the Philippines, as the government seeks to strengthen border security to prevent fugitives from escaping authorities.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said negligence could not yet be concluded until the investigation is completed.

“We have to investigate whether there were lapses. There are people who are quick to flee and this is not the first time that Atong Ang escaped,” Castro told a press briefing yesterday.

Castro said efforts to secure the country’s borders should be strengthened, noting that fugitives could escape through backdoor exits because the Philippines is surrounded by bodies of water.

She also urged the public not to help fugitives evade authorities.

Asked whether the government was coordinating with foreign counterparts to track Ang, Castro said authorities would take all necessary steps in accordance with the law, following President Marcos’ directive.

Castro assured the families of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts that efforts to locate Ang were underway.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed on Monday that Ang had left the country.

He maintained yesterday that intelligence reports of his escape underwent extensive validation for about a year before he disclosed the information.

Remulla added that much of the information came from Ang’s former cohorts, who have turned state witnesses against him.

“Validation takes a while. Upon taking all the intelligence reports, our theory is that he left the country,” Remulla said.

His statement yesterday came as Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the Bureau of Immigration has no record of Ang leaving the country. Remulla, however, said Ang is believed to have slipped out through unofficial means.

Ang, accused of masterminding the kidnapping and killing of cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros, is believed to be in Cambodia.

‘Surrender, Bato’

Meanwhile, Malacañang urged yesterday Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to turn himself over to authorities as it expressed alarm over the possibility of bloodshed should force be used to arrest him.

Remulla recently said that Dela Rosa, who has been accused of crimes against humanity related to the drug war, is being protected by a powerful group in Mindanao.

Dela Rosa’s protectors include armed men and a confrontation could result in fatalities worse than that of the 2017 Marawi siege, Remulla said.

“Surrender to avoid a bloodshed,” Castro said. - Ghio Ong