The Philippine National Police (PNP) reaffirmed its commitment on Monday, November 2, to track down former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag and enforce his arrest warrant in connection with the 2022 murder of broadcaster Percival “Percy” Mabasa.
PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that law enforcement agencies will not let up in their search for Bantag, who has continuously denied involvement in the crime and remains a fugitive.
“We will not allow the passage of time or repeated attempts to evade arrest to weaken our resolve. The PNP will remain relentless in pursuing those who are wanted by the law,” he said in a statement.
“Every lead will be pursued, every lawful opportunity will be acted upon, and we will not stop until they are brought before the courts to answer for the charges against them,” he went on.
The renewed manhunt follows a police operation on November 1 at a poultry farm in Barangay Pugol, Lamut, Ifugao. Acting on a tip that Bantag was hiding at the site and working under the guise of a poultry laborer, authorities raided the property but failed to locate him.
Despite missing their target, Nartatez emphasized that the raid highlights the police force’s aggressive stance on tracking down high-profile fugitives.
“This is not a setback but a proof that we remain relentless in locating and arresting him as well as other high-profile fugitives,” said Nartatez.
Authorities have also appealed to the public to come forward with any reliable information that could help pinpoint Bantag’s whereabouts.
Mabasa, a prominent critic of both the Duterte and Marcos Jr. administrations, was shot and killed on October 3, 2022. The broadcaster was driving near his subdivision gate on Aria Street in Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas City, when two motorcycle-riding gunmen opened fire on his vehicle.