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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP spox maintains Bantag not being coddled, nor is he a police officer

PNP spox maintains Bantag not being coddled, nor is he a police officer

Published Jun 21, 2023 01:03 am
The Philippine National Police (PNP) apparently took offense to the statement of a Department of Justice (DOJ) official that one of the major reasons why former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag could not be easily arrested is his police connections. For one, PNP chief information officer Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said Bantag has never joined the police organization and as such, has never been a police officer—contradicting the DOJ spokesman’s statement that Bantag "is a police officer". “The Philippine National Police would like to clarify that Mr. Gerald Bantag has never been a member of the Philippine National Police, based on record, he used to be a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officer before his appointment in Bureau of Corrections,” said Maranan in a statement. While Bantag graduated from the PNP Academy, he chose to be in the BJMP after his graduation in 1996. Graduates of the PNPA have the option to choose among the PNP, BJMP and the Bureau of Fire Protection after their graduation. The DOJ has offered P2 million reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of Bantag who was charged with murder for the death of an inmate at the New Bilibid Prisons. A P1 million reward was also offered to his then deputy, Ricardo Zulueta. As DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano was quoted saying that Bantag’s police connections makes his arrest tricky, Maranan said the PNP remains committed to its task of enforcing the law, including arresting fugitives from justice. “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,” said Maranan. He 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,” said Maranan.  
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