MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday raided the suspected hideouts of former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director-general Gerald Bantag in Caloocan and Laguna.
NBI-Metro Manila operatives led the raid after receiving information of alleged sightings of Bantag, the suspect in ordering the assassination of radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa or Percy Lapid.
Bantag was not found in the house they raided in Sta. Rosa, Laguna after a few minutes of searching. But operatives found nine bullets inside that were dated April 2.
Bantag was also not present at the house in Caloocan, but the operatives found some firearms as well as personal effects believed to be that of Bantag.
The NBI-Manila operatives conducted the raid to serve the arrest warrant against Bantag.
They vowed to continue the manhunt against the controversial BuCor head.
Bantag, along with deceased former BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, were charged with two counts of murder over the killing of Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.
The two’s arrest warrants were issued by a Muntinlupa court and a Las Piñas court in April 2023.
Lapid was shot dead near his house in Las Piñas City on October 3, 2022, while Villamor died at the NBP on October 18 due to “asphyxia by plastic bag suffocation.”/PN
