CIDG hunting Bantag, Zulueta

A Las Piñas Court has issued a warrant of arrest against sacked Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, his former deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, and three other individuals for the murder of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa.

The order of the Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court came on the heels of an arrest warrant issued by the Muntinlupa RTC the other day against Bantag and Zulueta over the death of one Jun Villamor.

Mabasa was gunned down on 3 October 2022 inside his vehicle in Las Piñas City, while Villamor was killed inside the New Bilibid Prison on 18 October.

Villamor died from asphyxia hours after self-confessed Mabasa gunman Joel Escorial tagged him as the “middleman” between him and Bantag and Zulueta, the one who hired him for the hit.

Las Piñas RTC Branch 254 Presiding Judge Harold Cesar Huliganga issued the arrest warrant, with the specific instruction to those serving it to wear body cameras or alternative video recording devices.

The other individuals named in the warrant were Israel Adao Dimaculangan, Edmon Adao Dimaculangan, and one alias “Orly or Orlando.”

No bail was set by the Las Piñas court for their temporary liberty.

A DWBL radio commentator, Mabasa was gunned down at the gate of BF Resort Village in Talon Dos, Las Piñas City, while on his way home.

He hosted a radio program called “Lapid Fire,” where he criticized government corruption, fake news, red-tagging, and other official malfeasance.

Escorial said the order to kill Mabasa had come from within the walls of the NBP.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said on Friday its operatives were tracking down the accused in the two murders.

CIDG chief P/Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat said, “The CIDG will ensure that justice will prevail against the (alleged) offenders in compliance with the marching orders of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.”

Remulla on Thursday said it would be better if the accused, against whom hold-departure orders are being sought, would surrender so they could prove their claim to innocence in court.

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