MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed personnel to Cambodia to verify reports that fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang may be seeking refuge there, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

In a television interview, Remulla said the information came from Julie Patidongan, a former associate of Ang who is now a government witness in the case involving the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts.

“It’s a suspicion and you cannot rule out anything, so lahat pinupuntahan, lahat titingnan, nandun na ‘yung mga pulis namin ngayon,” Remulla said, adding that PNP personnel are coordinating with Cambodian authorities to confirm Ang’s alleged presence.

On Monday, Col. John Guiagui, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group–National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR), said police have “efforts in place already” to verify reports that Ang may have fled to Cambodia or Thailand. However, without verified sightings, authorities will continue searching for him in the Philippines.

The police have already checked 18 locations in the country without success.

Remulla also said he believes Ang is operating with “at least PHP10 billion in cash.”

Ang has been named by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as its most wanted person in connection with the disappearance of more than 30 cockfight enthusiasts. A PHP10-million reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest.