Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Monday that the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has officially issued a red notice against former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag.
Speaking during a press conference in Valenzuela City regarding the government’s Safer Cities initiatives program, Remulla explained that the red notice means Interpol is requesting law enforcement agencies in different countries to locate and temporarily arrest Bantag pending possible extradition or other legal proceedings.
"May red notice na laban kay Bantag," Remulla said, adding that Interpol red notices have also been issued for other prominent Filipino fugitives, including businessman Atong Ang and former Police Lt. Col. Rafael Dumlao III.
"Medyo binoldyak ko na 'yung mga pulis natin, sabi ko '200,000 libo kayo, alangan naman hindi niyo kayang hanapin kaagad 'yung tatlong tao lang diba. Galingan niyo na,'" he added.
Bantag is considered the suspected mastermind in the killings of veteran broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and alleged middleman Cristito “Jun” Villamor.
Authorities said Lapid was ambushed near his residence in Las Piñas City in October 2022 following his repeated criticism of Bantag on his online radio program.
Villamor, who was identified as the alleged middleman in the killing, later died while detained at the New Bilibid Prison. Investigators linked both deaths to Bantag and former BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta.
In March 2023, a Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors found probable cause to indict Bantag and Zulueta over the deaths of Lapid and Villamor.
In April 2023, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued arrest warrants against Bantag and Zulueta in connection with the killing of Villamor. Another arrest warrant was later issued by the Las Piñas RTC against Bantag and four others over the murder of Lapid.
In 2024, operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Cordillera failed to arrest Bantag, who was believed to be hiding in Baguio City, Benguet province.
