THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and former Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta who are accused of masterminding the killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and inmate Jun Villamor, the alleged middleman in the case.
The ILBO was issued to monitor the whereabouts of Bantag and Zulueta and prevent them from evading possible criminal prosecution.
“Considering the gravity of the offense charged in the criminal complaints, there is a strong possibility that respondents may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the legal processes by leaving the country,” the DOJ’s urgent memorandum read.
The memorandum was dated December 7 but was made public only on Tuesday.
The DOJ acknowledged that the ILBO “is for monitoring purposes only” and cannot be used to prevent Bantag and Zulueta from leaving the country.
Bantag and Zulueta were charged as principals by inducement in the Lapid killing.
Also charged as “principals by indispensable cooperation” were Bilibid inmates Denver Batungbakal Mayores, Alvin Cornista Labra, Aldrin Micosa Galicia and Alfie Penaredonda.
For Villamor’s death, Bantag and Zulueta were charged as principals by inducement, while persons deprived of liberty (PDL) Labra, Galicia, Mario Germones Alvarez and Joseph Medel Georfo were charged as principals by indispensable cooperation, while PDLs Christam Dizon Ramac, Ricky Lamigo Salgado, Ronnie Pabustan de la Cruz and Joel Alog Reyes were charged as principals by direct participation.
The DOJ is currently conducting preliminary investigation on the complaint jointly filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Bantag has filed a motion seeking the inhibition of the panel of prosecutors conducting the preliminary investigation and the immediate transfer of the investigation of the murder charges before the Ombudsman, which he said has the primary jurisdiction over the case.
Bantag’s camp accused the DOJ of being biased against the suspended BuCor chief.
It cited the recent pronouncements of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla accusing Bantag as the one who ordered the killing of Lapid and Villamor.
He noted that the investigating prosecutors are under the control and supervision of the justice secretary.