Business · Philippines Bureau
Ex-BuCor Chief Bantag Remains at Large After Ifugao Police Operation
Former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag evaded capture during a dawn raid on a poultry farm in Ifugao province on Sunday. Authorities continue searching for the fugitive in connection with high-profile killings.
LSN Philippines ·
BAGUIO CITY — A police operation targeting former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag at a poultry farm in Lamut, Ifugao, yielded no results early Sunday as the wanted fugitive was not found at the premises. The operation at Barangay Pugol came as authorities intensify efforts to locate Bantag, who remains at large.
Bantag is a primary suspect in connection with the 2022 killings of journalist Percival "Percy Lapid" Mabasa and Cristito "Jun," an inmate at New Bilibid Prison. The high-profile cases have drawn significant public and media attention, with law enforcement agencies conducting multiple operations across provinces to apprehend him.
The fugitive's continued evasion of authorities underscores ongoing challenges in securing his arrest. Police have tracked Bantag to various locations but have so far been unable to take him into custody. The investigation into his alleged involvement in the killings remains active, with law enforcement committed to pursuing all available leads.
The case represents a significant development in Philippine law enforcement's efforts to address crimes involving prominent public figures and prison officials. Authorities have urged the public to report any information regarding Bantag's whereabouts.