Govt urged: Redouble efforts to get Bantag

THE family of slain radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa yesterday appealed to authorities not to focus their efforts only on pastor Apollo Quiboloy but also on former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag, alleged mastermind in the 2022 killing.

Roy Mabasa, younger brother of the slain journalist, said they are saddened by the fact that nearly two years after the murder, the authorities have yet to arrest Bantag.

“Gerald Bantag, a fugitive, remains elusive, even though the Department of Justice claims to know his whereabouts. Is it because the US is pursuing Quiboloy?” Mabasa said in a post on his social media account.

Mabasa said if the authorities can mobilize more than 2,000 policemen “for the failed arrest” of Quiboloy, they should also redouble their efforts to apprehend Bantag.

Mabasa was referring to Saturday’s deployment of some 2,000 policemen who raided the compound of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in Davao City.

Quiboloy faces charges for alleged violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

He also faces a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge before a Pasig court.