Bantag update: Hold departure order, recall of security, vehicles
‘I thought they are gentlemen and an officer, they should face the charges against them and come out’
Daily Tribune‘I thought they are gentlemen and an officer, they should face the charges against them and come out’
A hold departure order will be filed by the Department of Justice against suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and BuCor Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta in connection with the murder of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, also known as "Percy Lapid."
This was announced Tuesday by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, adding that a lookout bulletin order is no longer needed.
"Actually, there's no need because they're public officials. They cannot leave the country without a travel authority," Remulla said."The important thing here is we are already filing a hold departure order. I already instructed the staff to start."
Last Monday, the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation filed murder complaints against Bantag, Zulueta, and several other suspects in the deaths of Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.
The PNP reported on Tuesday that it has already communicated with Bantag and offered him security.
Colonel Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, confirmed the offer after learning that Bantag's security team and vehicles were recalled.
She said PNP chief, Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., made the offer through a Police Regional Office director.
Fajardo said legal procedures should be followed when it comes to a manhunt against Bantag.
She said the DoJ is expected to issue a subpoena against Bantag and other respondents, who were all given up to 10 days to respond with a counter affidavit.
The Justice Department may conduct a clarificatory hearing and it is expected to issue a resolution on whether there is probable cause for the complaints.
The complaints will then be raffled off to a court that is expected to issue a warrant of arrest against the respondents.
On Monday, several individuals were charged with the murder of Lapid and Villamor. Named respondents in the killing of Lapid aside from Bantag and Zulueta were inmates Denver Batungbakal Mayores, Alvin Cornista Labra, Aldrin Micosa Galicia and Alfie Peñaredonda.
Charged in connection with Villamor's death were Bantag, Zulueta, inmates Labra, Micosa, Mario Germones Alvarez, Joseph Medel Georfo, Christam Ramac, Ricky Lamigo Salgado, Ronnie Pabustan de la Cruz and Joel Alog Reyes.
Remulla: No other mastermind
On Tuesday, Remulla flatly ruled out the possible involvement of another person higher than Bantag.
But he admitted that the Justice Department is still awaiting the full report of the Anti-Money Laundering Council in determining the real source of the P550,000 deposited to confessed gunman Joel Escorial's bank account to kill Lapid.
Previously, Remulla said that P550,000 was deposited by different individuals in three installments within three weeks into the account of Escorial.
"We don't see anyone else," Remulla said when asked if probers are looking into the possible complicity of individuals higher than Bantag.
"Only the tentacles are the ones whom we can find. But, we are waiting for the AMLAC report. Since the AMLC report is only 95 percent thus we have to complete the report since there are certain persons that are being pointed out on the money," Remulla said.
Also, Remulla allayed concerns over the possible violation of the Bank Secrecy Law in tracking down the source of the money deposited to Escorial's account.
"Criminal case has been filed and if there is the bank secrecy law, it is not operative. AMLAC is allowed to do it already," Remulla said.
Gunman asked for more money
Mabasa said the confessed gunman, Joel Escorial, was originally promised P200,000 but asked for more after realizing that the target was not an ordinary individual.
"The first contract is only P200K and when the gunman received the initial payment he conducted surveillance only to find that his target is a big one, so he asked for an increase," Mabasa said.
He said it is obvious in the NBI and PNP investigation that the money used to pay the hitmen came from the different gangs inside the National Bilibid Prison.
He alleged that Bantag distributed the business among the different gang leaders inside the NBP so he would be able to hold them tight and follow whatever he ordered them to do for him.
The business inside the NBP includes the selling of beer, illegal drugs, cellular phones, and other contraband that were recently surrendered by the gang leaders following the appointment of retired general Gregorio Pio Catapang as the new BuCor officer-in-charge.
"The money came from NBP as their business inside is worth millions. It is divided by Bantag so he can hold them on their necks. The gang leaders divided among themselves to come up with the agreed contract to kill," Mabasa said.
He said the report released by the Anti-Money Laundering Council is complete with the names of those who deposited the money, pictures, and their addresses.
He said the ones who deposited the payment are moneyed because they were able to make an advance payment while waiting for the collected funds from inside the NBP.
Meanwhile, Mabasa dared Bantag and Zulueta to come out and show that they are brave as they projected themselves to be.
"I thought they are gentlemen and an officer, they should face the charges against them and come out," he added.
Remulla on Monday said Zulueta has gone absent without leave for four to five days, and his whereabouts unknown.
Bantag reached out to Lapid family
Mabasa said his brother was critical of Bantag whom he called out at least thrice in his radio program for having an expensive mansion and cars.
According to Lapid's listeners, the former referred to Bantag as "Cinderella" in the BuCor.
Two weeks ago, Mabasa said someone reached out to them saying that Bantag wants to talk to the family of Lapid to clarify the allegations against him.
He added that Bantag, who hails from Mountain Province, offered to perform a ritual at Lapid's grave.