The Department of Justice has released this “Wanted” poster showing former Bureau of Corrections Director Gerald Bantag and his deputy, Ricardo Zulueta. —Photo from DOJ
MANILA, Philippines — After the arrest of high-profile fugitives last month, veteran journalist Roy Mabasa hopes that former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag, the alleged brains in the murder of his brother, Percival Mabasa, more popularly known as Percy Lapid, will be next.
The 63-year-old Percival, a veteran and hard-hitting radio broadcaster, was shot dead while on his way home to BF Resort in Las Piñas on Oct. 3, 2022.
Bantag, who was among the 160 personalities often targeted by Percival in his “Lapid Fire” program, was charged with his murder in March 2023, although he has yet to be arrested.
READ: Political leaders renew calls for justice 2 years after Percy Lapid slay
Talking to journalists on Thursday, which marked the second year of his brother’s killing, Mabasa asked: “Why is it so hard to arrest Bantag, even though authorities know where he is hiding?”
“Why can’t the police try to replicate what Gen. Nicolas Torre III did during the arrest of Apollo Quiboloy, where he brought 2,000 police officers?” Mabasa asked.
He was referring to the arrest in August of controversial preacher Quiboloy after some 2,000 policemen raided the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Buhangin District, Davao City, where the self-proclaimed Son of God had been hiding.
“They showed the country that Quiboloy could be arrested,” Mabasa added. “I think Bantag would be scared and would surrender if it happens to him.”
Mabasa said that he had no complaints about the progress in his brother’s case, which would tackle the plea bargain of Christopher Bacoto, the alleged “second middleman” in Percival Mabasa’s slaying on Oct. 21.
Gunman’s confession
Joel Escorial, the confessed gunman, had told the police Bacoto was one of his accomplices, along with Crisanto Villamor Palaña, the “first middleman,” who allegedly contracted Escorial to kill Percival for P550,000 and died in prison in 2022.
Escorial was sentenced to a maximum jail term of 16 years earlier this year.
But Mabasa fears that developments in the case might stop after the Oct. 21 hearing as Bantag remains in hiding.
In June, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said it was aware of his whereabouts but expressed reluctance to put enforcers in danger because Bantag would rather die than be captured.
While Mabasa said he did not share the DOJ’s opinion, he added that he was hopeful Bantag “would eventually get tired and finally surrender, since the police have not shown their might in enforcing the law.” —with a report from Inquirer Research