Atong Ang reportedly in Vietnam, says Jonvic Remulla

Philippine authorities are coordinating with Vietnamese counterparts to verify intelligence reports claiming that Atong Ang is in Vietnam, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday.

“Si Atong Ang ang latest balita namin nasa Vietnam,” Remulla told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

“Gumagawa kami ng diplomatic efforts para kausapin 'yung counterparts namin doon para tignan 'yung immigration record nila kung nandoon talaga,” he added.

Remulla said the Philippines has an extradition treaty with Vietnam.

“Kausap na nila Chief PNP ang mga counterparts nila so malalaman natin ang resulta,” he said.

The DILG chief said Ang possibly left the Philippines through the backdoor in Mindanao to Malaysia, a couple of weeks before the issuance of his arrest warrants.

“I think sa backdoor siya dumaan noong i-a-announce na aarestuhin na siya. Doon siya sa Mindanao papuntang Malaysia. Tapos umabot siyang Vietnam. Mga two weeks before nakaalis na via backdoor,” Remulla said.

Arrest warrants have been issued against Ang and others, stemming from multiple counts of kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the missing sabungeros case.

Ang has denied the allegations against him.

Philippine authorities earlier requested the issuance of an Interpol red notice against Ang.

As defined by the Interpol, a red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. 

The individuals are wanted by the requesting member country, or international tribunal. Member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.

The reward for information leading to Ang’s arrest is P20 million. —AOL, GMA News