Former Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag (INQUIRER FILES)
MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said that authorities will be able to locate fugitive and former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag “soon.”
In a Palace briefing, Remulla was asked for an update on the case of Bantag, who is facing murder charges over the death of radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa.
“Wala pa. We know where he is, but we haven’t found him yet, but we will find him soon,” he said.
Last June, Department of Justice Spokesperson Dominic Clavano said that the DOJ is open to negotiation and Bantag’s voluntary surrender, should he opt for it.
They also have information about Bantag’s location but admitted that it would not be easy to arrest him.
“We are aware of his whereabouts; it’s just that 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.
(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.)
