Former BuCor Chief Bantag, Deputy Zulueta now considered fugitives

Former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Chief Gerald Bantag and former Deputy Officer Ricardo Zulueta are now considered fugitives given the outstanding warrants of arrest filed against them, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Sunday.

According to PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan, authorities were searching for Bantag and Zulueta following the warrants of arrest issued against them as reported on GMA Super Radyo DZBB.

The Regional Trial Courts of Las Piñas and Muntinlupa issued the warrants on Friday, in connection with the deaths of broadcaster Percy Lapid, and the alleged middleman in the killing - Jun Villamor.

Manhunt operations are ongoing in Bulacan and Caloocan for the alleged involved persons, with the PNP saying that the warrants were not considered served unless they were delivered to the concerned individuals in person.

Both Bantag and Zulueta were indicted last month for two counts of murder over the killing of Lapid and Villamor.

Lapid was shot dead in Las Piñas on October 3, 2022 while Villamor — an inmate — died at the New Bilibid Prison on October 18, 2022.

Bantag earlier denied the allegations against him, claiming that these were fabricated. — DVM, GMA Integrated News