The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced this Tuesday that it will form a team to track down and arrest former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and its former deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta.
“He (Bantag) will be subjected to manhunt and arrest. It is a continuing one, continuing effort…such that he will be put behind bars and answer the cases leveled against him,” said NCRPO Chief PBGen Jose Melencio Nartatez.
“Ang operatiba natin, we are now organizing…I will organize a team to track him down,” he added.
This Monday, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the manhunt for Bantag and Zulueta will continue.
Last month, the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation offered a reward for the capture of Bantag and Zulueta.
Two million pesos will be offered for information leading to the arrest of Bantag, while one million pesos will be offered for Zulueta.
“It is crucial that these individuals are brought to justice and held accountable for their alleged actions. Their cooperation can lead to the significant difference in ensuring the swift apprehension of Bantag and Zulueta and providing closure for the victims,” the DOJ said in a statement read by Asec. Mico Clavano, DOJ spokesperson.
NCRPO will form a team to arrest ex-BuCor chief Bantag
“We assure the public that all information provided will be treated with strictest confidentiality in accordance with the law,” he added.
On April 12, a Muntinlupa court issued arrest warrants for Bantag and Zulueta for the alleged murder of Bilibid inmate Jun Villamor on October 18, 2022. Villamor was the suspected intermediary in the murder of radio commentator Percy Lapid.
A court in Las Pias also ruled on the homicide of Lapid outside of his Las Pias subdivision on October 3, 2022.
“He has not surrendered. We want the law enforcement people and everybody else to be more aggressive in helping the department get hold of the suspects in the killing of Percy Lapid,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.
“Gusto lang nating palawakin, tsaka sometimes it takes a little more persuasive power, the persuasive power of a reward to make people rise from their slumber,” he explained.