The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Cordillera has failed to arrest former Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag, a wanted fugitive in the country who was believed staying in Baguio City, Benguet province.
According to RH Romy Gonzales' report on Magandang Umaga Pilipinas, NBI-Cordirella agents were supposed to serve the arrest warrant to Bantag at the headquarters of Igorot Warriors International, Inc. Party-list (IWI) in Baguio City last Saturday, April 20.
However, no trace of the former Corrections chief was found.
Dating Bureau of Corrections director general Gerald Bantag bigong hulihin ng mga tauhan ng NBI-Cordillera sa Baguio City | RH 41 Romy Gonzales#MagandangUmagaPilipinas #SamaSamaTayoPilipino
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The caretaker of IWI headquarters reportedly saw Bantag once before the arrest warrant was released, while a barangay captain had said that Bantag was last seen in Baguio City last year.
Bantag is the suspected mastermind in the murders of late radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa or Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Cristito ‘Jun’ Villamor.
In March 2023, the Regional Trial Courts of Las Piñas and Muntinlupa respectively issued an arrest warrant against the former Corrections chief, late former BuCor Deputy Officer Ricardo Zulueta, and several Bilibid inmates.
Bantag is banned from departing the Philippines.
