Palace orders scrutiny of security lapses after Atong Ang’s reported escape

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 21, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is calling for an investigation into possible security lapses after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla reported that fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang had escaped the Philippines through an unauthorized route.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Wednesday, October 21, that authorities must determine how Ang reportedly left the country despite an ongoing manhunt and whether any government personnel failed to perform their duties.

However, she cautioned against immediately blaming law enforcement officials before the investigation establishes the circumstances of his departure.

“We cannot immediately identify a culprit or conclude that someone was negligent. Let the investigation proceed so we can determine who, if anyone, was at fault,” Castro said in Filipino during a Palace briefing.

Remulla says Ang escaped through a ‘backdoor’

On October 20, Remulla disclosed that Ang had already left the Philippines through what he described as a “backdoor” route.

The interior secretary did not reveal when Ang departed, which route he used or how he managed to avoid detection.

Authorities have also not publicly established his exact whereabouts.

Ang remains wanted in connection with the disappearance of several cockfighting enthusiasts, commonly known as sabungeros, between 2021 and 2022.

His reported departure has raised questions about the country’s ability to prevent fugitives from crossing its borders.

Palace calls for stronger border security

Castro acknowledged the need to improve monitoring along the Philippines’ maritime borders, particularly routes that may allow individuals to leave without passing through regular immigration checkpoints.

Asked whether the country’s border security measures should be reviewed, she said such improvements should have been made earlier.

She explained that the Philippines’ extensive coastline presents challenges in monitoring unauthorized departures.

Castro also expressed concern that individuals facing serious criminal charges could evade arrest.

The Palace maintained that any possible negligence or involvement by government personnel must first be established through an investigation.

Ang faces multiple arrest warrants

Ang is facing criminal charges linked to the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts from 2021 to 2022.

These include kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention in cases filed before courts in Laguna and Batangas.

Authorities have been searching for the businessman for months.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government previously offered a ₱20-million reward for information leading to his arrest.

An Interpol red notice has also been issued against Ang, according to Remulla.

Ang has denied involvement in the disappearances, and the criminal allegations against him remain subject to court proceedings.

Palace assures families that cases will continue

Malacañang also addressed concerns among the families of the missing sabungeros following reports that Ang had fled the country.

Castro assured them that the cases would not automatically expire simply because an accused person remains at large.

She said the government would continue pursuing fugitives and seeking accountability in connection with the disappearances.

For now, authorities have yet to disclose whether Ang received assistance in leaving the Philippines or whether security lapses contributed to his reported escape.

The investigation into his departure remains ongoing, while the criminal cases connected to the missing sabungeros continue.