MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said he is enforcing strict security measures to prevent information about the ongoing manhunt for gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang from reaching the public or potential protectors.
Remulla told reporters at Camp Crame in Quezon City that he conducts inspections discreetly and assigns only small teams to handle sensitive operations connected to the search. He said personnel deployed for these missions are often instructed to leave mobile phones behind and receive instructions in person to reduce the risk of leaks.
He said he personally relays operational details to these teams and keeps the number of people aware of mission plans to a minimum. This system, he said, applies to all critical activities, including verification of intelligence and follow-up operations in areas where authorities receive leads on Ang’s possible whereabouts.
Remulla said he coordinates with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement units while compartmentalizing specific operational details. He said the flow of information within the Department of the Interior and Local Government and its attached agencies is carefully monitored to ensure updates are handled only by authorized personnel.
He said the goal is to prevent advance warning from reaching Ang or his associates, which could allow the tycoon to evade arrest. Remulla did not disclose the locations of ongoing operations or the number of personnel involved.
Remulla added that he maintains regular coordination with police officials at Camp Crame to synchronize operational strategy. He did not provide a timeline for concluding the manhunt, emphasizing that operations will continue while law enforcement pursues all available leads.
He said all units involved are expected to follow the security protocols he set to avoid compromising the search. Remulla also stated that he continues to review and refine procedures to address potential vulnerabilities in information handling as the manhunt progresses.