Interior Secretary Benjamin "Benhur' Abalos Jr., on Monday assured that the rule of law shall take its course following the filing of criminal complaints against suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and several others in connection with the deaths of broadcaster Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa and alleged middleman Cristito Villamor.

Abalos said Bantag and other respondents will be given a day in court.

"There will be due process. One has the right to answer the accusation against him. Whatever the decision is, we must implement it and the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police are there to implement the decision in this case," Abalos told reporters when pressed for comment during a press conference held at the Department of Justice compound in Padre Faura in Manila.

Retired Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. took over as BuCor chief following President Ferdinand R. Marcos' order to place Bantag under indefinite preventive suspension following the death of Villamor who confessed gunman Joel Escorial claimed as the one who contacted him.

Escorial admitted to killing Mabasa last 3 October.

Philippine National Police chief, Gen, Rodolfo Azurin, revealed that Zulueta has gone into hiding.

Abalos called on Zulueta to turn himself in.

"I'm calling out to you Zulueta. Surrender, just like what the gunman did," Abalos said.

He asked for any information to the whereabouts of Zulueta.

The NBI and PNP are currently finding the exact location of Zulueta and Bantag.

Abalos described the murder case as a momentous event as the DILG, PNP, NBI and the DoJ have joined hands for the swift surrender of Escorial who gave up to authorities in two weeks.

Abalos assured the public that the authorities judiciously did their work and talked to vital witnesses before the charges were filed against Bantag and company.