Red notices issued vs. Gerald Bantag, Rafael Dumlao III — Jonvic Remulla

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday said former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and former police officer Rafael Dumlao III are now subjects of Interpol red notices.

“May red notice na laban kay Bantag. May red notice na laban kay Atong Ang. May red notice na laban kay Dumlao,” Remulla said during a press conference.

(“There is already a red notice against Bantag. There is already a red notice against Atong Ang. There is already a red notice against Dumlao.”)

Remulla said authorities have already completed the requirements for the issuance of a red notice against former Ako Bicol party-list lawmaker Zaldy Co, although Interpol has yet to approve the request.

“Yung kay Zaldy Co, it was filed September 2025, hindi pa gina-grant ang red notice niya. So complied na lahat ’yun,” he added.

(“As for Zaldy Co, it was filed in September 2025, but his red notice has not yet been granted. So all requirements have already been complied with.”)

According to Interpol, a red notice is a request to law enforcement authorities worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

The individuals are wanted by the requesting member country or international tribunal. Member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.

Last month, Remulla announced that a red notice has been issued for Ang, who is facing kidnapping with serious illegal detention in connection to the case of missing sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts.

In April 2023, a Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court court ordered the arrest of Bantag in connection with the death of Jun Villamor, the alleged middleman in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid in October 2022.

Bantag has denied the allegations against him.

The Department of Justice previously said a P2-million reward would be given for information leading to Bantag’s arrest.

Bantag was reportedly staying in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Meanwhile, in July 2024, the Court of Appeals reversed Dumlao’s acquittal in the 2016 kidnapping and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo and instead sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, the Supreme Court of the Philippines said.

A P1-million bounty was also offered for Dumlao.

Remulla gave the update following a command conference with the Philippine National Police on Sunday, where he expressed frustration over the failure to arrest wanted individuals in high-profile cases.

“Medyo binoldyak ko na yung mga pulis natin. Sabi ko, 200,000 kayo, alangan naman di n’yo kayang hanapin tatlong tao lang, di ba? Galingan n’yo na,” he said.

(“I scolded our police officers. I told them, ‘There are 200,000 of you. Surely, you can find just three people. Do better.’”)—MCG, GMA News