THE PNP yesterday said it has recently received information on the whereabouts of former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag who is wanted for the October 2022 killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo made statement after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla told a press briefing in Malacañang that authorities will find Bantag “soon.”
Fajardo said she spoke with PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III earlier yesterday to inquire about efforts to locate and arrest Bantag.
“There are some reports reaching their (CIDG) office on the possible sightings of DG (Director General) Bantag… We’re validating the reports that we received about the sightings,” said Fajardo.
Without elaborating, Fajardo said the sightings corroborate other reports from other agencies as to the whereabouts of Bantag.
Fajardo assured the public that the PNP has not ceased its operations to locate and arrest Bantag.
“Our tracker teams have not stopped (their operations) and these efforts are being reported to the Chief PNP and even to our SILG (Secretary of Interior and Local Government),” said Fajardo.
“I am just assuming the SILG mentioned the possible arrest of Bantag in the coming days, if not weeks, because there are reports reaching his office,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said they believe Bantag is still in the country, based on their coordination with the Bureau of Immigration.
Nevertheless, Fajardo said there is possibility that wanted persons can leave the country through the backdoor.
“But we are of the belief that the high-profile wanted person that we are trying to locate is still around the country, particularly up north,” she said.
Asked if Bantag is considered armed and dangerous, Fajardo said: “We cannot
