NBI raids two known houses of ex-BuCor chief Bantag

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation went to serve warrants of arrest at two known addrresses of former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, who has been implicated as the alleged mastermind in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid.

According to John Consulta's report on "24 Oras," the operations were conducted in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Caloocan City.

“Itong mga huliing araw, nakatanggap ang aming opisina ng information na may nagpupuntang grupo dito sa dalawang addresses ni former BuCor Director-General Bantag, kaya minabuti naming iimplement ang warrant of arrest,” said NBI-NCR Assistant Regional Director Attorney Joel Tovera.

(These past few days, our office received information that a group was visiting these two addresses of former BuCor Director-General Bantag, so we thought to implement the warrant of arrest)

Agents broke down the locked door of Bantag’s home in Santa Rosa, Laguna with a sledgehammer, but were unable to find anyone inside the house.

They were able to retrieve seven 9mm bullet casings in one of the rooms, as well as a receipt issued on Tuesday.

There was also no one inside the home in Caloocan but agents recovered some personal effects including a wooden rifle frame and an electricity bill in Bantag's name.

“Kinukumpirma ng mga kapitbahay ng nasabing former BuCor official na may taong nagpupunta roon sa mga lugar na ito pero di nagtatagal. Kung minsan, 15 to 20 minutes lang and then aalis agad,” added Tovera.

(The neighbors of the former BuCor official confirmed that someone visits these locations, but it does not take long. They would often take 15 to 20 minutes, and then leave right away)

NBI agents have sealed up both homes and put up wanted posters offering a P2-million reward for information on Bantag’s location.

“Kapalit ng nasabing reward, umaasa tayo na makakatulong ang publiko sa agarang pagdakip sa former official ng BuCor,” Tovera said.

(In exchange for said reward, we are hoping that the public can help with the immediate arrest of the former BuCor official.) —Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/NB, GMA Integrated News