Subpoena served to Bantag over Percy Lapid slay —prosecutor

A subpoena has been deemed served to suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag on Tuesday in connection with the case of the killing of journalist Percy Lapid, a prosecutor said.

“The subpoena was served to the last known address of [suspended BuCor director general] Bantag in Caloocan,” senior assistant state prosecutor Charlie Guhit told reporters in a message.

“Per information received, the barangay captain told the process server that DG Bantag is not anymore staying in Caloocan after his appointment in BuCor,” he added.

Guhit pointed out that the subpoena against Bantag, who was tagged as the alleged mastermind in Lapid’s killing, is deemed served because the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) only provided Bantag’s address in Caloocan.

According to him, they have no information where in Baguio City Bantag is currently staying.

“The NBI and PNP should inform the panel of prosecutors by way of manifestation or appropriate pleading about the new address of DG Bantag before we issue another subpoena to DG Bantag,” Guhit said.

Murder complaints have been filed against Bantag, BuCor Senior Superintendent Ricardo Zulueta, and others over the killing of Lapid and an alleged middleman in the slay plot, New Bilibid Prison inmate Cristito Villamor Palaña or Jun Villamor.

Bantag has since denied involvement in the killings.

According to Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento, the hearing is set on November 23, Wednesday at 9 a.m. and December 5, Monday at 1 p.m.

Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said then around 11 respondents are set to receive a subpoena. —KG, GMA Integrated News