Philippines fugitive seeking asylum

Kim Smith

Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002 | 9:45 a.m.

Charlie Atong Ang, a friend of former Philippine President Joseph Estrada charged with stealing from the the Philippine treasury, applied for political asylum Tuesday.

Ang's attorney, Donald Etra, said he hopes the Immigration and Naturalization Service will grant his client an interview sometime before his extradition hearing Feb. 28.

Ang has been living in the United States since January 2001.

"I think the chances he will be granted asylum are good," Etra said. "He can prove there were credible threats against him when he left the Philippines and he'll be in danger if he goes back."

Etra said Ang, 43, also wouldn't be able to get a fair and impartial trial in the Philippines because of rampant corruption.

Ang was arrested Nov. 25 in the lobby of Paris Las Vegas and remains in the North Las Vegas Detention Center pending an international extradition hearing.

Ang, who once was the Philippines government gambling adviser, is charged, with Estrada, with plunder -- theft of public funds.

"There is no basis for the charges against Mr. Ang in the Philippines," Etra said. "The case is purely a political attempt by the current administration to discredit the prior administration. Mr. Ang would prefer if he could go back and defend himself, but the risk of death and or torture is just too great."

Etra said there are people in the Philippines who fear Ang could testify against the past administration.