THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it is highly likely that fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang remains in the country, citing the absence of any legal exit record.
BI spokesman Dana Sandoval issued the statement on Wednesday amid reports that Ang may have fled to Cambodia, where he has reportedly established an “e-sabong” business.
”Our records indicated that Ang has not left the country,” Sandoval said. “There is no record that he legally exited in any of our major airports or ports.” Sandoval noted, however, that if Ang has left the country, he may have used the “southern backdoor,” a route frequently utilized by human traffickers. She added that these areas are under tight watch following recommendations from a study by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
”The IACAT study on illegal backdoor routes recommended better engagement of local government units (LGUs) and local enforcement agencies with the IACAT in the implementation of anti-trafficking laws in the southern backdoor,” Sandoval said.
Earlier, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stressed the need for a “whole-of-government” approach to eliminate illegal travel routes.
”Everyone must work together as there is a need to strengthen efforts at all levels to curb illegal departures,” Viado said. “Traffickers are exploiting illegal routes to avoid detection by immigration, making it crucial for LGUs and local authorities to increase monitoring and enforcement in vulnerable areas.” According to victim accounts, many are trafficked out of the Philippines via small boats from Jolo, Sulu, to Sabah, Malaysia, where passports are marked with counterfeit BI departure stamps. From Sabah, victims are often transported to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Cambodia to work in scam hubs.
On Jan. 14, a regional trial court in Santa Cruz, Laguna, issued a warrant of arrest for Ang and 17 co-accused on four counts of homicide and 15 counts of serious illegal detention. The charges stem from the disappearance of more than 30 cockfighting enthusiasts four years ago.
The group also faces charges in the Lipa City, Batangas, and San Pablo City, Laguna, regional trial courts for kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention.
