The Hold Departure Order (HDO) against former Bureau of Corrections Chief Gerald Bantag, and former deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta has been included in the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) system.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco shared that the BI received the April 25 order from the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court on Thursday.
The HDO prevents Zulueta and Bantag from leaving the Philippines.
“The HDO was immediately encoded in our centralized system, and may be seen by our immigration officers at all ports nationwide,” said Tansingco. “Should they be encountered in any airport or seaport, they will be prevented from departing without prior approval from the courts,” he added.
It can be recalled that in December 2022, the BI has also implemented a lookout bulletin order against Bantag and Zulueta, directing all immigration officers to closely report to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) any attempt by the suspects to leave the country.
In March, Prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) found sufficient grounds to charge suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and his former deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta with two counts of murder in the killing of the broadcaster Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.
The accused also included self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial, and Israel Dimaculangan, Edmon Dimaculangan, and one Orlando.
HDO against Bantag issued – BI
Denver Mayores, Alvin Labra, Aldrin Galicia, Alfie Peñaredonda, and Christopher Bacoto were also charged “as principals by indispensable cooperation” or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
The National Bureau of Investigation previously said there was a line of communication from Bantag and Zulueta to Mayores, and Mayores to Labra, and Labra who contacted Galicia.
It is alleged that Galicia planned and executed the killing of Lapid through his gang members and group contacts outside the NBP, who hired Escorial and his associates to shoot the broadcaster.
According to the NBI, there is a direct line of communication from Bantag and Zulueta to Mayores, Mayores to Labra, and Labra to Galicia, who implemented the killing of Villamor through its gang members inside the prison.
Galicia allegedly gave the order to Sputnik gang member Georfo and passed the order to its member Alvarez.
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