Police deny Gerald Bantag evaded arrest during Ifugao operation

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 02, 2026

Photo Courtesy: PRO CAR

The Philippine National Police has rejected claims that former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag escaped arrest during an operation at a poultry farm in Ifugao, saying he was not at the location when authorities arrived.

The operation was conducted early Sunday, November 1, at a poultry farm in Barangay Pugol, Lamut, following intelligence reports that Bantag was allegedly hiding there and posing as a poultry worker.

However, personnel from the Ifugao Police Provincial Office and the 1501st Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 failed to locate the former corrections chief.

The Police Regional Office Cordillera clarified that no arrest was made because Bantag was not present at the identified location. It stressed that describing the incident as an escape from arrest was inaccurate.

The clarification came after Lamut Mayor Mariano Buyagawan Jr. claimed in a social media post that Bantag had been hiding at the farm, allegedly disguised as a worker carrying chicken feed.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities would continue pursuing leads to locate Bantag and serve the outstanding arrest warrants against him.

Bantag is wanted in connection with the 2022 killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and the death of New Bilibid Prison inmate Cristito “Jun” Villamor. He has denied involvement in the killings.

The police have urged the public to provide credible information that could help authorities locate the former BuCor chief.