Subpoena brought to Bantag’s last known address
THE subpoena sent by government prosecutors to suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag requiring him to answer allegations linking him to the deaths of Percy Lapid and Jun Villamor, was already served to his last known address in Caloocan City.
This was confirmed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit, one of the prosecutors tasked to conduct a preliminary investigation into the cases filed against Bantag, deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, and several others.
“Based on our records, the NBI and PNP only provided the last known address of DG [Director General] Bantag in Caloocan. The subpoena, insofar as the prosecution is concerned, is deemed served,” Guhit said in a message to reporters.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) have filed two murder complaints against Bantag and several others that, included gang leaders, in connection with the two murders.
For the murder of Lapid, charged were Bantag, BuCor deputy security chief Ricardo S. Zulueta as principals by inducement. PDLs Denver B. Mayores, Alvin C. Labra, Aldrin M. Galicia, and Alfie Peñaredonda are likewise charged as principals by indispensable cooperation.
For the murder of Villamor, charged were Bantag and BuCor deputy security chief Zulueta as principals by inducement. PDLs Labra, Galicia, Mario G. Alvarez, and Joesph Medel Georfo are charged as principals by indispensable cooperation.
PDLs Christam D. Ramac, Ricky L. Salgado, Ronnie P. Dela Cruz, and Joel A. Reyes were also charged as principals by direct participation.
According to Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento, the preliminary investigation will be held on November 23 at 9:00 a.m. and December 5 at 1:00 p. m. at the Department of Justice (DOJ) main building in Manila.
