The Philippine National Police (PNP) said former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag and former Deputy Officer Ricardo Zulueta are now considered fugitives.
PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan, quoted by GMA News, said authorities were searching for Bantag and Zulueta following the warrants of arrest issued against them.
The Regional Trial Courts of Las Piñas and Muntinlupa issued the warrants on Friday, in connection with the deaths of broadcaster Percy Lapid, and the alleged middleman in the killing, Jun Villamor.
The PNP also said manhunt operations are ongoing in Bulacan andCaloocan for the alleged involved persons. The PNP added that the warrants were not considered served unless they were delivered to the concerned individuals in person, GMA News reported.
Both Bantag and Zulueta were indicted last month for two counts of murder over the killing of Lapid and Villamor.
Lapid was shot dead in Las Piñas on October 3, 2022, while Villamor, an inmate, died at the New Bilibid Prison on October 18, 2022.
Bantag earlier denied the allegations against him, claiming that these allegations were fabricated.
