DOJ assures: Money rewards will be given to anyone whose info leads to arrest of Bantag, Zulueta
The Department of Justice (DOJ) assured that any person who can give information that would lead to the arrest of fugitives former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gerald Q. Bantag and then security officer Ricardo S. Zulueta will receive his or her reward outright.
DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said: “The reward will be given upon the successful arrest and apprehension of both Mr. Bantag and Zulueta.”
The DOJ had announced a P2 million reward for information that would lead to the arrest of Bantag. A reward of P1 million was offered in the case of Zulueta.
Both Bantag and Zulueta had been charged in two murder cases before the Las Pinas City and Muntinlupa City regional trial court (RTCs).
Both RTCs had issued arrest orders against them for the deaths of radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and Cristito Villamor Palana, a person deprived of liberty at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, who had been named as “middleman” in the slaying of the broadcaster.
Clavano said the rewards were offered “to expedite the capture and move the cases forward as soon as possible.”
He clarified his earlier statement that the reward money would be given upon the arrest and subsequent conviction of Bantag and Zulueta.
“Upon consultation between the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and Secretary [Jesus Crispin C. Remulla], we will liberalize the interpretation of the reward,” he said.