THE Department of Justice will ask a local court to cite in contempt the bloggers who interviewed former Bureau of Corrections head Gerald Bantag, who is facing an arrest warrant for the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa.
“We will file a manifestation to cite in contempt the bloggers who interviewed Gerard Bantag, knowing fully well that a warrant of arrest has been issued against him and he is a fugitive of the law,” said Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said.
Remulla said the manifestation to cite in contempt the bloggers would be a continuing complaint until their post on the interview is taken down.
This is not an issue of press freedom, he said.
His move came before the death anniversary of Mabasa, who was shot dead on the evening October 3 while driving home.
Bantag and several others have been charged with the murder of Lapid. The former BuCor chief has been in hiding since a warrant was issued against him by a Las Piñas court.
Remulla said a personal grudge has been established as the motive in the killing of Mabasa, who had been a hard-hitting broadcaster, critical of government officials.
