Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said initial information about businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang leaving the country surfaced about a year ago.
“The information has been under our analysis for one year. Validation takes a while. Upon taking all the intelligence reports our theory is that he has left the country,” Remulla said.
“Much of the information came from his former cohorts who have turned state witness,” he also said.
Remulla issued the statement after Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said Ang is still in the Philippines based on the records of the Bureau of Immigration.
On Monday, Remulla said Ang was already in Cambodia amid continuing efforts by law enforcers to locate and arrest him in relation to the case of the missing sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts.
The following day, Remulla said Ang had escaped through the porous backdoor.