The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday clarified that informats will only obtain the ₱3 million reward money after former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and former BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta are arrested.

“Basta nahuli [sila Bantag at Zulueta] dahil sa impormasyon na ibinigay. Ang mahuli ang mga nasasakdal natin sa korte, ang reward, ang pabuya ay ibibigay na sa mga nagbigay ng impormasyon,” DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla said in a press briefing.

He added that there is no need for informants to participate in the prosecution hearings of Bantag and Zulueta.

“Ang problema sa pag demanda, sa pag-uusig ng kaso, kami sa prosecutors ang bahala na sa pagpanalo ng kaso. Hindi iyon pwedeng iasa sa mga taong nagturo sa kinalalagyan ng nais natin mahuli ng batas,” Remulla explained.

According to the Justice Chief, the reward will come from the department’s fund.

The informants will receive the full amount as stated earlier.

“Buong-buo iyon, walang bawas iyon. Walang tax, walang cut,” Remulla said.

On Monday, the DOJ announced that ₱2 million reward will be given for an individual who can give “credible information” that will lead to the arrest of Bantag while a ₱1 million reward for Zulueta's information.

The former BuCor officials are facing murder charges for the brutal killing of late radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa or Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Bilibid inmate Cristito ‘Jun’ Villamor.

In an interview with DZRH, lawyer Lauro Gacayan said his clients Bantag and Zulueta are not hiding and are presently in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Gacayan said that the two will be “completing their legal rights" first before they will fully surrender to the custody of authorities.

The legal rights, according to the legal counsel, include the filing of petitions before the Court of Appeal (CA) to question the Regional Trial Court's (RTC) orders as well as the DOJ's orders.