Justice Secretary says gambling tycoon Atong Ang remains in Philippines

MANILA — Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida stated Wednesday that gambling tycoon Charlie "Atong" Ang has not left the Philippines, citing immigration records as evidence of his continued presence in the country.

Vida's assertion directly contradicted Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla's claim made a day earlier that Ang had already departed through an irregular departure method described as the "backdoor."

Speaking to reporters in a chance encounter, Vida said he was unaware of the conflicting statements regarding Ang's whereabouts. The divergence between the two cabinet officials highlighted uncertainty surrounding the status of the high-profile gambling operator.

The discrepancy between the Justice and Interior secretaries' accounts underscores ongoing confusion over Ang's location, with official immigration documentation appearing to contradict claims of his departure from the archipelago.