Manila: Police searching for Charlie 'Atong' Ang have visited 18 locations in 20 days but have yet to locate the fugitive businessman. Still, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla believes the "world is getting smaller" for Ang even if he has already fled to Cambodia as claimed by a government witness.

According to Philippines News Agency, Remulla expressed confidence in the possibility of extraditing Ang from Cambodia, citing the Philippines' chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year as a facilitating factor. He noted that coordination with countries like Cambodia and Thailand, where Ang is also believed to be hiding, will be more straightforward under the Philippines' current ASEAN leadership.

Ang is facing arrest warrants from two courts due to his alleged involvement in the disappearance of several individuals linked to his cockfighting operations. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has named him a Most Wanted Person and is offering a PHP10 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

Meanwhile, National Police Commission (Napolcom) Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan disclosed that Ang attempted to interfere in their investigation of police officers linked to the case last year. Calinisan mentioned that Ang sent a message through a close friend on July 12 last year after government witness Julie Patidongan filed a complaint against the policemen.

Calinisan questioned Ang's interest in the case, emphasizing that the Napolcom remains unaffected by any external pressure, irrespective of wealth or influence. Ang's attempt to intervene has raised serious concerns over undue interest in the case.