Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla admitted that the continued elusiveness of Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, gaming tycoon Charlie "Atong" Ang, and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co has been keeping him awake as authorities continue their efforts to arrest the three fugitives.

Remulla said he has been losing sleep and even having nightmares as he constantly thinks of ways to capture them.

“I have sleepless nights thinking about how I’m gonna get them,” he said in a television interview over Bilyonaryo News on Thursday, July 23.

Dela Rosa has been out of public view since the early hours of May 14 when he left the Senate with Senator Robin Padilla after briefly appearing following an extended absence from his legislative duties.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against him for his alleged role as one of the co-perpetrators in the deadly anti-drug campaign under the previous administration.

Remulla said Dela Rosa's experience as a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief has made the operation more difficult.

“They know all the police procedures. They know what the next step is. They are one step ahead because they know the usual methods,” he said in a separate statement.

Because of this, Remulla said authorities have abandoned conventional approaches.

“We have to go asymmetric in capturing them. We cannot rely on the usual techniques. We are now employing other techniques and strategies to arrest them,” he said.

He added that the same challenge applies Co, who is being linked to the multibillion-peso flood control controversy.

He said the government is working to bring Co back to the Philippines following reports that the former lawmaker was seen in Paris, France and is seeking asylum there.

Remulla said he remains confident authorities can secure Co's return before any asylum application is approved.

He also said he would follow up with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) on the request for a red notice against Co.

For Ang, Remulla said police are still verifying reports that the businessman has left the country.

He said authorities believe there is a stronger possibility that Ang is still in the Philippines.

Ang has not been seen since January 2026. His former aide and whistleblower Julie Patidongan earlier claimed that the gaming tycoon had already fled the country.

Remulla said Ang was last monitored in the Calabarzon region in April. He said the businessman has been transferring from one hideout to another every three to five days to avoid arrest.

The DILG has offered a P20 million reward for information leading to Ang's arrest over his alleged involvement in the disappearance of 34 sabungeros.

Remulla said authorities will continue pursuing all fugitives wherever they may be hiding.

“The law will continue to take its course, and we will continue to pursue those who seek to evade justice,” he said.