Jonvic Remulla still has Marcos’ trust despite Atong Ang’s reported escape — Palace

MANILA — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla still has President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s trust and confidence Malacañang said Wednesday, a day after the Cabinet official said fugitive gambling tycoon Atong Ang has fled the Philippines anew.

Remulla earlier told reporters that Ang — who is facing multiple non-bailable arrest warrants for kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and kidnapping with homicide — left the Philippines through backdoor exits in Mindanao.

“Sa ngayon wala tayong masasabing hindi. Kasi kung wala, masasabi ko na sa inyo,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said when asked about it.

(For now we cannot say the president doesn’t trust him. Otherwise, I would have something to tell you.)

She added authorities are still working to find Ang and that what matters is that efforts are being made.

Castro initially told reporters that Ang may have left the country due to the absence of warrants for his arrest. She said Filipinos are free to travel unless a court curtails that right.

Castro was later told that Ang’s non-bailable warrants from different courts were issued in the first quarter of 2026 over his alleged involvement in the disappearance and murder of several cockfight enthusiasts.

The Palace official said she cannot assume where Ang was at that time.

“Si Secretary Remulla po ang tanungin ninyo, hindi po natin alam ang detalye dito,” she said.

(Ask Secretary Remulla about that, we in the Palace don’t know the details.)

Castro maintained that the president’s order is to “arrest those who need to be arrested.”

She added that fugitives should not be allowed to flee accountability and someone should be held accountable when they do.

Castro assured the families of Ang’s alleged crimes that they would still get the justice that they deserve despite the supposed escape of the primary suspect.

She added that even is Ang is very wealthy, his “worldis getting smaller” because of the warrants against him.

The Palace admitted that there is a need to recalibrate the country’s border control and security as Ang is not the first fugitive who has fled the Philippines despite facing arrest orders.

“Noon pa ito pinapatutukan,” Castro said.

(We have been focused on that since before)

Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said that immigration records do not show that Ang has left the Philippines.

Vida, however, conceded that the fugitive may have used undocumented means to leave the country.