Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV apologized for his statement that former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gerald Q. Bantag, now a fugitive from justice, had been a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“I apologize for any confusion my earlier statement may have caused,” Clavano – also DOJ’s spokesperson -- said on Wednesday, June 21.
“I would like to correct my error and clarify that Mr. Bantag did not serve in the Philippine National Police, but rather graduated from the Philippine National Police Academy. I regret any confusion this may have caused and hope this clarification clears up any misunderstandings,” he said.
PNP Chief Information Officer Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan issued a statement that Bantag “has never been a member of the Philippine National Police.”
Maranan said that “based on record, he (Bantag) used to be a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officer before his appointment in the Bureau of Corrections.”
While Bantag graduated from the PNP Academy, he chose to be in the BJMP after his graduation in 1996, he said.
“We want to emphasize that irrespective of one's rank, stature, or source of commissionship of any officer, the PNP will arrest any individual who has violated the law. The achievements of our police tracker teams exemplify our record in arresting wanted persons,” he also said.
Last Tuesday, June 20, Clavano was interviewed on ANC on the P2 million reward offered to any person who could provide information that would lead to the arrest of Bantag.
Clavano said Bantag has eluded arrest since “the accused, former Director General Bantag, as you may know is also a police officer” and, because of this, “he has a certain network as well within the police and, I guess, also in other law enforcement agencies which makes it a little bit tricky.”
Bantag and former BuCor security officer Ricardo S. Zulueta have been charged with two counts of murder before the Las Pinas City and Muntinlupa City regional trial courts (RTCs).
Both the Las Pinas City and Muntinlupa City have issued arrest orders against Bantag and Zulueta for the killings of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and person deprive of liberty (PDL) Cristito Villamor Palana, alleged “middleman” in the slaying of the broadcaster.
Bantag and Zulueta have remained at large since the issuance of the arrest orders.
Last Monday, June 19, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla announced rewards of P2 million and P1 million for the arrest of Bantag and Zulueta, respectively.
While Clavano earlier had said that reward money will be turned over to the person or persons who provided the right information after the conviction of Bantag and Zulueta, the DOJ official had clarified, in a subsequent statement, that the reward will be given after the successful arrest of the two accused.
Also, Maranan said in his statement: “We want to emphasize that irrespective of one's rank, stature, or source of commissionship of any officer, the PNP will arrest any individual who has violated the law. The achievements of our police tracker teams exemplify our record in arresting wanted persons.”
Maranan said that since the issuance of the arrest warrants for Bantag and Zulueta for instance, tracker teams have been working round the clock and at all times in support of the National Bureau of Investigation and other officers of the law to apprehend the fugitives promptly.
“The PNP maintains a firm resolve in its dedication to safeguard and serve the Filipino people. We express our gratitude for the support and cooperation received from the public as we strive to uphold peace, security, and justice,” he also said.