A MUNTINLUPA City court has issued a hold departure order against former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag who has been tagged by the Department of Justice as mastermind in the killing of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and Bilibid inmate Cristito Palana Villamor alias Jun Villamor last year.
Bantag has denied any involvement in the killings.
Also covered by the HDO issued by Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 206 Judge Gener Gito is Bantag’s deputy, Ricardo Zulueta.
“In order not to frustrate the ends of justice, it is imperative that a hold departure order be issued to prevent accused from leaving the country during the pendency of the instant case,” Gito said in his order dated April 25.
“To reiterate, the issuance of a hold departure order is for the court to maintain the effectiveness of its jurisdiction over the person of the accused in this case,” he added.
Gito said no opposition was filed by any of the accused when the Department of Justice asked for the issuance of the hold departure order.
The court earlier issued a warrant of arrest against Bantag and Zulueta for the killing of Villamor while a Las Piñas City court also issued the same against the two for Lapid’s murder.
Bantag and Zulueta remain on the run although Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Bantag has sent surrender feelers.
The Mabasa family, through spokesperson Berteni Causing, expressed doubt on the reported intent to surrender, saying it could be another delaying tactic of Bantag.
Bantag and Zulueta were indicted as “principal by inducement” in the murder of Lapid and Villamor.
Villamor was killed inside the national penitentiary to prevent him from spilling the beans on the mastermind behind Lapid’s murder.
