DOJ: Informants will not get cash reward if Bantag is not convicted

Informants will not get the cash reward offered by the government if former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and former deputy officer Ricardo Zulueta are not convicted, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday.

Justice spokesperson Asec. Mico Clavano stressed that the reward shall be given to “any person who gives information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of the wanted accused.”

“If and when the accused are convicted, that’s the time the reward is given,” Clavano said during an interview on ANC.

When asked if the informant will not get the reward if the accused is not convicted, Clavano answered, “Yes.”

Despite this, Clavano agreed that it is not the informant’s fault if the accused is not convicted.

“We’ve compared the way that the other jurisdictions give their rewards, and it also does hinge on the successful prosecution of the case. You’re completely right when you say that it’s not the informant's fault that the prosecution does not succeed,” he said.

“However, what we want here in the case is, you know, for justice to be brought to the victims and their families. And like I said and I mentioned a while ago, it really is a part of the screening process,” he added.

Clavano also stressed the Justice Department believes that individuals who believe in Bantag and Zulueta’s guilt are more likely to be sincere in their information.

On Monday, the DOJ and the National Bureau of Investigation announced it is offering P2 million for information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of Bantag and P1 million that will lead to the same for Zulueta.

According to Clavano, Bantag is still in the country and seems to be moving in a certain area.

“Yes, we have eyes and ears on him. In fact, I guess the information [that] has come forth all revolve around the same general area. So we have eyes and ears on him. It’s just that we need to pinpoint exactly where he is and to time the operation or, I guess, the arrest properly so as to catch him off guard,” he said.

According to Clavano, individuals who may wish to share information may reach out through 0945 831 058 and 0928 416 9585.

Bantag and Zulueta are the alleged masterminds in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor.

The Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 206 and Las Piñas Regional Trial Court Branch 254 issued warrants of arrest against the two on April 12, 2023. 

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

Lapid was shot dead by two suspects onboard a motorcycle in Barangay Talon Dos.

The broadcaster, whose real name was Percival Mabasa, was the host of the online broadcast program "Percy Lapid Fire" at DWBL 1242 and a columnist for Hataw. —Joahna Lei Casilao/ VAL, GMA Integrated News