Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag arrives during an “Oplan Galugad” inside the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City on March 4, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Bantag

Pia Gutierrez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737445617419171229096510620200304-oplan-galugad-GC-5629.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag arrives during an “Oplan Galugad” inside the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City on March 4, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag arrives during an “Oplan Galugad” inside the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City on March 4, 2020. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday expressed confidence that authorities are close to finding former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag, who faces murder charges and remains at large.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/25/ca-rejects-bantag-bid-to-junk-murder-cases-over-percy-lapid-killing-1045">CA rejects Bantag bid to junk murder cases over Percy Lapid killing</a></div><p>“We know where he is, but we haven’t found him yet, but we will find him soon,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla told Palace reporters, without elaborating.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/29/doj-say-they-know-bantag-s-whereabouts-quiboloy-still-hiding-2132">DOJ say they know Bantag’s whereabouts</a></div><p>Bantag continues to hide from authorities after he was tagged as the mastermind behind the killing of broadcast journalist Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, who was shot dead near his home in 2022 after supposedly making comments online that appeared to link Bantag to corruption.</p><p>Roy Mabasa, the brother of Lapid, earlier posted that Bantag was reportedly spotted “casually attending the INC rally” last January 13, 2025 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/5/nbi-raids-bantag-safe-houses-1207">NBI raids Bantag safe houses</a></div><p>“Aren’t authorities supposed to be hunting him down? Only in the Philippines, where fugitives roam freely and justice turns a blind eye,” Mabasa asked.</p><p>Bantag had previously denied any corruption or role in the killings.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kvFUPB6K5KY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The DILG expressed confidence that authorities are close to finding former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, who faces murder charges and remains at large.</p>

The DILG expressed confidence that authorities are close to finding former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, who faces murder charges and remains at large.

Remulla on Bantag: 'We know where he is, we will find him soon'

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Remulla on Bantag: 'We know where he is, we will find him soon'

Pia Gutierrez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 21, 2025 04:02 PM PHT

Read More:

DILG

Percy Lapid

Jonvic Remulla

Bantag

Gerald Bantag

Department of the Interior and Local Government

murder

media

crime

ANC

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