THE NBI advises the public that there is a P2 million reward for anyone who could provide information about former BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag.
Earlier, the NBI NCR raided and identified the safe houses of Bantag in Caloocan and Laguna. While Bantag was not found in the two areas, the NBI said they will continue the manhunt in other locations.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) welcomed the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) move to offer a reward for information that could lead to the arrest of former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag, the alleged masterminds in the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa.
The DOJ released the “wanted” poster offering a bounty of PHP2 million and PHP1 million for Bantag.
“We welcome ‘yung move ng DOJ na magbigay ng reward. On the part of the PNP ay umaasa kami na ito pong reward na pinublish ng DOJ will convince and encourage ‘yung mga tao na maaaring alam yung posibleng kinaroroonan nung dalawa(ng) suspect na magbigay ng impormasyon para sa madaliang pagkakaaaresto nitong dalawa personalidad (We welcome the move by the DOJ to give a reward.
On the part of the PNP, we hope that this reward published by the DOJ would convince and encourage people who may know the possible whereabouts of the two suspects to provide information for their quick arrest),” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo told reporters when sought for a comment in a phone interview.
Bantag is facing murder charges before the Muntinlupa and Las Piñas regional trial courts over last year’s killing of Mabasa and Cristito Villamor Palaña (alias Jun Villamor), an inmate at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
Villamor allegedly hired self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial to kill Mabasa. He later died, or was allegedly killed on Bantag’s order.
Bantag is on the run since warrants for their arrests have been issued by the courts.
The DOJ clarified the reward money will be released upon arrest, not if Bantag will be convicted.
