MANILA — Fugitive former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gerald Bantag remains at large after police raided a poultry farm in Ifugao where he was allegedly hiding under the guise of a farm worker, dealing another setback to efforts to arrest him in connection with the 2022 killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa.
Acting on intelligence reports, Philippine National Police (PNP) operatives searched the poultry farm in Barangay Pugol, Lamut, on Sunday, November 1, but failed to find the former corrections chief.
“Police conducted an operation at a poultry farm in Barangay Pugol, Lamut, Ifugao on November 1 after receiving information that Bantag was hiding there and posing as a poultry worker,” the PNP said in a statement.
“However, he was not found at the location,” it added.
Despite the failed operation, PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. vowed to intensify the manhunt for Bantag, who has remained elusive since an arrest warrant was issued against him in 2023.
“We will not allow the passage of time or repeated attempts to evade arrest to weaken our resolve. The PNP will remain relentless in pursuing those who are wanted by the law,” Nartatez said.
“Every lead will be pursued, every lawful opportunity will be acted upon, and we will not stop until they are brought before the courts to answer for the charges against them,” he added.
Nartatez insisted that the unsuccessful raid demonstrated the PNP’s determination to pursue high-profile fugitives rather than a failure of its manhunt.
“This is not a setback but a proof that we remain relentless in locating and arresting him as well as other high-profile fugitives,” he said.
The PNP urged the public to provide credible information on Bantag’s whereabouts to help authorities secure his arrest.
In April 2023, a Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court ordered Bantag’s arrest in connection with the killing of Jun Villamor, the alleged middleman in the October 2022 murder of Lapid.
Bantag has denied the allegations against him.
The Department of Justice earlier offered a P2-million reward for information leading to his arrest./PN
