Double murder charges filed against Bantag, Zulueta, et al.

Two counts of murder charges were filed today, 7 November, by a joint investigation team from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police against suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and several others, in connection with the murder of broadcaster Percy Lapid and the death of alleged middleman Cristito Villamor.

The filing of the cases came after the NBI and the PNP secured "persons of interest" inside the National Bilibid Prison who provided vital information about the twin killings.

For the murder of Lapid, charged were suspended Bucor Director General Gerald Bantag and BuCor deputy security chief Ricardo Soriano Zulueta as principals by inducement, and Denver Batungbakal Mayores, Alvin Cornista Labra, Aldrin Micosa Galicia, and Alfie Penaredonda — all persons deprived of liberty — as principals by indispensable cooperation.

Charged for the murder of Villamor were Bantag and Zulueta as principals by inducement, and PDLs Labra, Galicia, Mario Germones Alvarez, and Joseph Mede Georfo as principals by indispensable cooperation.

Likewise, PDLs Christam Dizon Ramac, Ricky Lamigo Salgado, Ronnie Pabustan Dela Cruz, and Joel Alog Reyes were charged as principals by direct participation.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, in a joint press conference held at the Department of Justice main office in Manila, called on Bantag and Zulueta to turn themselves in.

Remulla said an immigration lookout bulletin order will be issued against the two.

The officials disclosed at the presscon that Zulueta has gone absent without official leave for four to five days with his whereabouts still unknown, while Bantag will be served his subpoena at his last address in Caloocan City.

Remulla gave the assurance that Bantag et al. will be accorded due process.

Among the evidence presented was the declaration of Villamor, the alleged middleman who died inside the National Bilibid Prison. Villamor identified the personalities involved, including the alleged leaders of the three major gangs inside the prison facility, in a series of Facebook messenger messages to his elder sister Marissa.

Marissa was brought by Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo to Remulla, who immediately placed her under the witness protection program.

–30—