The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has revealed that it was allegedly approached twice in an attempt to influence the investigation into the high-profile case of the missing sabungeros.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan disclosed that two separate groups contacted a person close to him to seek assistance in allegedly saving police officers implicated in the case. Calinisan said the first contact reportedly came from gaming tycoon Atong Ang on July 12, 2025, followed by a separate approach from a group linked to an unidentified local chief executive, both with the same objective.

Calinisan said the matter was only made public now as authorities were still building the case at the time. He clarified that no money was offered, adding that he is confident the alleged attempts will be covered by the ongoing and live parallel investigation into the missing sabungeros case.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that the Philippines has already sent a formal communication to Cambodia and deployed a liaison officer amid reports that the country’s number one most wanted individual may have fled there. Remulla stressed, however, that there is still no confirmation that Ang is in Cambodia.

He added that the manhunt continues locally, with authorities having already conducted raids in at least 18 locations across the Philippines. Remulla warned that if Ang is indeed in Cambodia, his movements would be extremely limited as coordination with foreign counterparts intensifies.

The investigation into the disappearance of the sabungeros remains ongoing, with authorities maintaining that no individual—regardless of influence or status—is above the law.