DOJ aware of Bantag whereabouts; open to talk voluntary surrender

Former Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Dominic Clavano revealed that they are aware of fugitive and former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag’s whereabouts.

He also said that the agency is open for negotiation and voluntary surrendering should Bantag opt for it.

READ: Arrest of ex-BuCor chief Bantag a matter of time, needs patience – DOJ

“More than one year already he’s been hiding as a fugitive, but the efforts are still ongoing. We are aware of his whereabouts, it’s just alam naman natin na hindi talaga ‘yan papayag na magpahuli ng buhay kaya mahirap din na ilagay natin ‘yung ating mga law enforcement agencies and agents in a precarious or dangerous spot,” Clavano said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

(The efforts are still ongoing, we are aware of his whereabouts, it’s just that we know he really won’t allow himself to be caught alive, so it’s also difficult to put our law enforcement agencies and agents in a precarious or dangerous spot.)

“As any fugitive would do, hindi lang siya nagtatago sa isang lugar, and ‘yung mga lugar na to ay remote areas, far-flung areas, where mayroon talaga siyang supporters,” he added.

(As any fugitive would do, he’s not just hiding in one place, but in remote areas, far-flung areas, where he indeed has supporters.)

While the DOJ is open for negotiation and voluntary surrender, Clavano noted that it would not yield to unjustifiable terms.

READ: CA junks Bantag’s petition for dismissal of murder rap

If ever Bantag decides to surrender, local authorities will handle any “mitigating circumstances,” he added.

The Court of Appeals has recently junked the petition filed by Bantag to nullify the murder charge filed against him over the death of radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa.