The murder case against former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag, accused in the 2022 killing of prominent broadcaster Percy Lapid, has been archived by a Philippine court due to Bantag’s continued absence.

The Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court ordered the archiving Monday, saying that the case will only be reopened once Bantag is captured or surrenders to authorities.

Judge Cesar Huliganga of Branch 254 ruled to shelve the proceedings against both Bantag and his former deputy security officer, Ricardo Zulueta, according to a statement from Lapid’s brother, journalist Roy Mabasa.

Zulueta’s case has also been hampered, as his family has repeatedly refused to allow DNA testing on remains believed to be his, preventing definitive identification. However, the court’s primary focus remains on Bantag, who has been in hiding for nearly three years.

To recall, Percy Lapid — whose real name was Percival Mabasa — was assassinated in October 2022. His killing sparked widespread public outrage and drew attention to alleged corruption and criminal networks within the country’s penitentiary system.

A commentator for DWBL radio, Lapid was known for his show “Lapid Fire,” where he was a vocal critic of fake news, red-tagging and government corruption.

He was shot and killed on 3 October 2022, while on his way home in Las Piñas City. Bantag went into hiding after the Department of Justice indicted him.