THE Department of Justice yesterday said the arrest of former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag is a “little bit tricky,” with its spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano adding the fugitive has a “certain network” within the Philippine National Police.
Bantag graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy in 1996. He and his former deputy at the BuCor, Ricardo Zulueta, are wanted by authorities in connection with last year’s killing of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and Bilibid inmate Cristito Palana Villamor alias Jun Villamor.
Villamor is the middleman who allegedly hired self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial to kill Lapid. The inmate was later killed allegedly on Bantag’s order that was coursed through Zulueta, to prevent him from spilling the beans on Lapid’s killing.
Bantag and Zulueta were indicted as “principal by inducement” in the killing of Lapid and Villamor. Arrest warrants were issued in April by the Las Piñas City and Muntinlupa City regional trial courts.
Clavano said Bantag’s connection will not prevent authorities from apprehending him.
“The accused as you may know is also a police officer, and he has certain networks within the police force, which makes it a little bit tricky,” Clavano told ABS-CBN News Channel.
“But I am not saying it has impeded in any way our investigation or the attempt to arrest Mr. Bantag,” he added.
Asked if the P2 million reward money against Bantag implied negligence or difficulties on the part of law enforcement agencies to arrest him, Clavano said they are doing their best to find and arrest the two fugitives.
Another P1million bounty is being offered for the arrest of Zulueta.
Clavano said the bounty offers show the seriousness of the authorities to arrest and bring Bantag and Zulueta to justice, adding that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has put premium on ensuring that justice will be served to the families of Mabasa and Villamor.
“It’s a very important case that involves media freedom, freedom of speech and the right of citizens to life,” he said.
PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said the reward will help in gathering information on the whereabouts of Bantag and Zulueta.
“The reward may encourage and motivate the people who may have knowledge of their whereabouts. On the part of the PNP we are hopeful and appealing to them to surrender to the authorities and face their cases in the proper forum.”
Earlier, Remulla said Bantag and Zulueta are still in the country.
The two are also subject of a hold departure order.
Clavano said informants will not get the cash reward offered for the arrest of Bantag and Zulueta if they are not convicted.
He withdrew his statement hours later.
In the ANC interview, Clavano said the reward shall be given to “any person who gives information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of the wanted accused.”
“If and when the accused are convicted, that’s the time the reward is given,” he added.
Asked if the informants then will not get the bounty if they are not convicted, he said “Yes” although he also said it is not the fault of the informant if the accused are not convicted.
“We have compared the way that the other jurisdictions give their rewards, and it also does hinge on the successful prosecution of the case. But you’re completely right when you say that it’s not the informant’s fault that the prosecution does not succeed,” he added.
In a statement hours later clarifying the award of the reward money, Clavano said the bounty will be given to the informant after the arrest of Bantag or Zulueta.
“Upon consultation between the National Bureau of Investigation and Secretary Remulla, we will liberalize the interpretation of the reward. The reward will be given upon the successful arrest and apprehension of both Mr. Bantag and Zulueta,” Clavano said.
“This is done to expedite the capture and move the case forward as soon as possible,” he added.
With this, the official this will encourage all citizens who encounter Bantag and Zulueta to give information of their whereabouts.
The DOJ on Monday said any whereabouts on Bantag and Zulueta may be reported through these numbers 09458311058 and 09284169585.
