The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday clarified that former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag has not been part of the PNP.
The PNP said that Bantag used to be the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology officer before he was appointed as the head of the BuCor.
“This is to set right some news articles that came out recently,” the PNP said. “We want to emphasize that irrespective of one’s rank, stature, or source of commissionship of any officer; the police force will arrest any individual who has violated the law,” it added.
On Tuesday, Department of Justice (DOJ) Spokesperson Mico Clavano claimed that Bantag’s connection with the national police made his arrest and investigation difficult.
Clavano on Wednesday apologized for his statement and backpedaled on his previous statement saying Bantag’s police ties were because he graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).
“I would like to correct my error and clarify that Mr. Bantag did not serve in the Philippine National Police, but rather graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy. I regret any confusion this may have caused and hope this clarification clears up any misunderstandings,” he said.
Graduates of the PNPA can choose to work with the PNP, BJMP, and the Bureau of Fire Protection after their graduation.
The PNP further said its Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) tracker team has been working with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to locate Bantag and is deputy, Ricardo Zulueta.
Bantag and Zulueta were both linked in the deaths of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and alleged middleman and inmate Jun Villamor.
Clavano added that Bantag has eluded arrest since “the accused, former Director General Bantag, as you may know is also a police officer” and, because of this, “he has a certain network as well within the police and, I guess, also in other law enforcement agencies which makes it a little bit tricky.”
Bantag and Ricardo S. Zulueta have been charged with two counts of murder before the Las Pinas City and Muntinlupa City regional trial courts (RTCs).
Bantag and Zulueta have remained at large since the issuance of the arrest orders.
Last Monday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla announced rewards of P2 million and P1 million for the arrest of Bantag and Zulueta, respectively.
While Clavano earlier had said that reward money will be turned over to the person or persons who provided the right information after the conviction of Bantag and Zulueta, the DOJ official had clarified, in a subsequent statement, that the reward will be given after the successful arrest of the two accused.