The Department of Justice has offered a P3 million cash reward to anyone who can provide credible information that could lead to the arrest of former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and former deputy officer Ricardo Zulueta.
DOJ spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano revealed that the DOJ and the National Bureau of Investigation are offering P2 million for any individual who can give credible information that will lead to the arrest of Bantag.
Another P1 million is being offered to anyone who can give information that will lead to the arrest of Zulueta.
Bantag and Zulueta are the alleged masterminds of the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.
Clavano said individuals who may wish to share information may reach out through phone numbers 0945 831 058 and 0928 416 9585.
“It is crucial that these individuals are brought to justice and held accountable for their alleged actions. Your cooperation can make a significant difference in ensuring the swift apprehension of Bantag and Zulueta and providing closure to the families of the victims,” Clavano said.
“We assure the public that all information provided will be treated with the strictest confidentiality in accordance with the law,” he added.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stressed that they are now offering a reward because Bantag has not surrendered.
“We want the law enforcement people and everybody else to be more aggressive in helping the department get hold of the suspects in the killing of Percy Lapid,” Remulla explained.
“We want to widen our intelligence. And sometimes it takes a little more persuasive power of a reward to make people rise from their slumber,” he said.
According to Remulla, the cash reward will be taken from a fund at the Department of Justice.
The Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 206 and Las Piñas Regional Trial Court Branch 254 have issued warrants of arrest against the two for the deaths of Lapid and VIllamor, respectively.
Lapid was shot dead in Las Piñas City on October 3, 2022 while Villamor died at the New Bilibid Prison on October 18.
An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun showed the remains of Villamor to have a “history of asphyxia by plastic bag suffocation.”