(UPDATE) GOVERNMENT officials on Monday said they have found no evidence that gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang has left the Philippines, even as law enforcement agencies intensified efforts to locate him following the issuance of arrest warrants in connection with the case of missing cockfighting enthusiasts or sabungeros. Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesman Polo Martinez said they have not verified claims by a whistleblower that Ang may have exited the country as early as December, adding that there is no official information indicating he has departed. “The recent news circulating that Atong Ang has left the country has not yet been verified. We have not received any information that Atong Ang has exited the Philippines,” Martinez said. Martinez said the Bureau of Immigration confirmed that Ang has no recent travel record, contradicting allegations that he had already fled the country. He warned that any individual found to be assisting Ang in evading arrest could be charged with obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829. The statement followed the issuance of warrants of arrest last week against Ang and several others over the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts. Whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan earlier claimed that Ang intended to evade arrest. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla echoed the DOJ’s position, saying there was no record from any port of entry or exit indicating that Ang had left the Philippines. Remulla said they were convinced Ang was still within Philippine territory. Remulla said searches were made in Porac, Pampanga, and in parts of Laguna following intelligence reports on Ang’s possible whereabouts, but Ang could not be located. He said tips continued to pour in, including information allegedly coming from Ang’s own associates, although none had so far resulted in his arrest. To prevent Ang from leaving the country, Remulla said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was coordinating with the DOJ and the Department of Foreign Affairs on the possible cancellation of his passport. Law enforcement agencies nationwide, including the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, and the Philippine Coast Guard, were put on alert. Remulla said the entire 320,000-strong police force had been briefed on their role in locating Ang. Authorities also classified Ang as armed and dangerous, citing intelligence reports that he may be moving with as many as 30 to 40 bodyguards. Despite the challenges, Remulla said the government would exhaust all means to locate Ang. “We will do everything to find him and bring him before the law,” he said. As the manhunt continued, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) weighed in on reports that Ang had allegedly been advised by his lawyer not to surrender. In an interview, IBP National President and Chairman Allan Panolong said lawyers who encourage clients to defy lawful arrest orders could face criminal and administrative liabilities. “If a lawyer gives advice to their client to break the law, they may face a case — both administrative and criminal,” Panolong said. He cited possible charges such as obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829 and liability as an accessory under Article 19 of the Revised Penal Code. Panolong said such conduct could also result in disciplinary action before the IBP or the Supreme Court for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which requires lawyers to respect the law and comply with court orders. “As lawyers, we are expected to respect the law and comply with the orders of the court,” he said. He clarified, however, that lawyers serve in an advisory capacity and that the final decision rests with the client. Still, he said counsel must clearly explain the legal consequences of refusing to comply with lawful orders, including the risk of being declared a fugitive and losing access to certain legal remedies. Panolong’s remarks came after Ang’s lawyer, Gabriel Villareal, told media that his client should not be considered a criminal because he had yet to stand trial and still had judicial remedies available. Panolong said the IBP would refrain from commenting on the specifics of the case unless a formal complaint is filed. He reiterated the importance of the presumption of innocence and the role of legal counsel in ensuring due process, noting that even accused persons are entitled to defend themselves in court. The police on Monday said they have received 17 text messages on their newly launched hotline all providing information on the whereabouts of Ang. “We have searched more than 10 locations already and also we have received more than 10 messages (17 to be exact) that we are validating,” National Capital Region (NCR) chief Col. John Guiagui of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group told reporters on Monday. The DILG last week announced a P10-million reward for information leading to Ang’s capture. The information of tipsters range from his last known location before the issuance of the warrant to the places he was allegedly seen now that warrant is in effect, Guiagui said. The locations, he said, were either known properties of Ang or owned by his friends. Most of the locations were in Luzon. On Sunday, tracker teams raided a farm in Porac and another property in Rosario, Batangas earlier Monday morning but Ang was not there. Guiagui said he believes Ang was prepared to go into hiding long before the warrant for his arrest has been issued. “He has already prepared for this. As I said, he has resources, he has friends, he has properties which he uses to sustain him,” Guiagui said. He also said he believes Ang is still in the country since the Bureau of Immigration assured that he did not log any recent travel record.