📷Ex-Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag
TINIYAK ni Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla na malapit nang ‘makalawit’ ng mga awtoridad si dating Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag.
“Wala pa. We know where he is, but we haven’t found him yet, but we will find him soon,” tugon ni Remulla sa tanong ng media hinggil sa update sa kaso ng pagpatay sa beteranong broadcaster na si Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa.
Si Bantag ang itinurong utak sa pagpatay kay Percy noong Oktubre 2022.
Isiniwalat ni Roy Mabasa, kapatid ni Percy, na namataan si Bantag sa INC rally sa Baluarte sa Vigan, Ilocos Sur noong Enero 13.
Parehong miyembro ng INC sina Percy at Bantag.
Sa kanyang paskil sa Facebook ngayon, ibinulgar ni Roy na binabalewala ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) ang utos ni Las Piñas City Judge Cesar Huliganga noong Hulyo 2024 na magsagawa ng DNA testing kay Ricardo Zulueta, isa sa pangunahing suspect sa pagpatay kay Percy.
Hanggang ngayo’y hindi pa beripikado ang umano’y pagkamatay ni Zulueta noong Marso 2024.
“The National Bureau of Investigation’s blatant disregard for Las Piñas City Judge Cesar Huliganga’s July 2024 order to conduct DNA testing on Ricardo Zulueta—a key suspect in the murder of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid—is a glaring display of indifference.
Zulueta’s alleged death in March 2024 remains unverified, further undermining the investigation’s integrity. Meanwhile, main suspect and former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, seemingly unconcerned, was spotted casually attending an INC rally in Vigan.
With a hearing approaching, the NBI’s inaction raises serious questions about accountability and justice,’ sabi ni Roy. (ROSE NOVENARIO)