MANILA — Businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, facing charges over the missing sabungeros case, remains in the country, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said.

“Ang record natin nandidito … as of speaking. Wala sa [There is none at the Bureau of Immigration] eh. Of course, those are the formal channels,” Vida said in an ambush interview.

He added that authorities are coordinating with partner countries and exploring all avenues to ensure Ang’s apprehension. “Of course, we have partners. We have member countries na nakikipag-cooperate sa atin. And we’re exploring all avenues,” Vida said.

Ang faces charges for kidnapping with homicide, as well as kidnapping and serious illegal detention, before the courts of Sta. Cruz, Laguna; Lipa, Batangas; and San Pablo, Laguna. Only the Sta. Cruz RTC Branch 26 and the Lipa RTC Branch 13 have issued arrest warrants against him.

Asked about the possibility that Ang may have left the country, Vida said: “If we’re talking about the realm of possibility, everything is possible, ‘di ba? If you have resources you can do that, ‘di ba? And if you have that desire to do it, you can do it with the resources.” He assured that law enforcement agencies are continuing the search, adding, “Malapit, malayo, I cannot predict.”

Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez previously said Ang’s trial has commenced in Sta. Cruz and Lipa. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier announced a P10-million reward for information leading to Ang’s arrest, noting that the businessman’s connections with various levels of government have hindered law enforcement.

Earlier reports that Ang may have flown to Cambodia were dismissed by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which confirmed he is not in their country.