Codeigniter MYSQL MSSQL SERVER remote connection

Hello CodeIgniter Community.

I am having a challenge in connecting to the database.

So here is my scenario.

My client has an existing database. It is a MS SQL Server database. It is a local database. 

Now my project is to create a web app to connect to that database. The web apps purpose is to show reports to the user. 

Do you have any idea how can I connect from cpanel? 

So the connection would be mysql (online) to ms sql server (local intranet). Or can I connect directly to ms sql server? 

Do you have any idea or suggestions how to implement this? Thanks! Any suggestion would be appreciated!