MANILA — Fugitive gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang may be in Cambodia, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Thursday, citing reports that his gaming operations in the Philippines had ceased and later shifted to the neighboring country.

Remulla said information also points to Ang allegedly running 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 para makakuha ng more solid information,” he said, referring to the Philippine National Police’s ongoing coordination.

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

“Kung andoon siya, sa backdoor siya dumaan,” he said. The Bureau of Immigration, through spokesperson Dana Sandoval, confirmed there are no records of Ang’s departure.

However, Remulla stressed that Ang’s whereabouts remain unconfirmed.

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

Remulla also said Ang surrendered five of his six firearms through his lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, although one remains missing. Despite this, he added that Ang is still considered “armed and dangerous” because he continues to have two bodyguards.

“Kahit wala na siyang firearms under his name, ‘yong mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya ay armado pa rin,” Remulla said.

Ang is being sought by two Regional Trial Courts in Region IV-A, Sta. Cruz, Laguna and Lipa, for kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the case of the missing sabungeros. All of his co-accused are now in custody, leaving Ang as the only one at large.

Authorities have already searched known locations linked to Ang but have so far failed to apprehend him.