The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Monday that there is no priority list or deadline for the arrest of high-profile fugitives.
“Wala talagang qeueing numbers ang mga ganitong bagay. Kung sino man ang mahuli, siya ang mahuhuli. Wala po tayong tina-target na date, wala po tayong tina-target na tao na mauna. Walang qeueing (There is no queuing numbers in these matters. Whoever will be caught, will be caught. We are not targeting any date or any particular person to be prioritized. There is no queuing),” DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano stated in an interview with reporters.
Clavano emphasized that while authorities continuously receive information on high-profile suspects, the DOJ is committed to pursuing all fugitives. “We are working on a lot of intelligence on fugitives from justice. Pero di lang naman sila (high-profile fugitives) ang hinahanap ng Department of Justice, although syempre ‘yung cases nila umabot na sa national significance (Although their cases have reached national significance, it is not only the high-profile fugitives who are being hunted by the DOJ). It does not stop us from looking for all the fugitives out there who need to be brought to justice,” he explained.
Among the high-profile fugitives being pursued by authorities is former Bureau of Corrections head Gerald Bantag, who is implicated in the killing of journalist Percy Lapid in 2022. Additionally, the Netherlands government has been informed of pending charges for human trafficking against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
Clavano reiterated the DOJ’s support for the Philippine National Police’s crackdown on criminality, assuring that prosecutors will ensure that there are no shortcuts in the legalities of the anti-crime drive.
