[OPINION] From fugitives to courage, all that escapes the Marcos admin

Gerald Bantag, Harry Roque, Atong Ang, Zaldy Co, and Bato dela Rosa. These are the high-profile fugitives that the Marcos administration has yet to arrest. Almost every year, a fugitive hounds President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration. The death of hard-hitting broadcaster Percy Lapid rocked Marcos’ “Bagong Pilipinas” promise in 2022. “Ka Percy,” as his fans called him, was a fearless radioman known for his fiery remarks against Marcos and former president Rodrigo Duterte. He was killed in August 2022. The investigation led to the identification of the supposed mastermind: then-Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag. Five months later, in April 2023, the courts issued warrants. While other suspects were nabbed, Bantag was slippery as an eel. The police failed to arrest him and he’s been hiding ever since. Come 2024, Marcos’ biggest news in his State of the Nation Address was the ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), which his predecessor Duterte had approved. Among the biggest names implicated was Duterte’s former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. In 2025, a local court issued a warrant against Roque for his alleged involvement in a raided POGO in Pampanga, but he was already abroad at the time. Philippine authorities had cancelled his passport in a bid to deport him, but to no avail. Roque has a pending application for asylum in Europe and has yet to be arrested. Then there’s businessman Atong Ang, who was tagged as the alleged mastermind behind the disappearance of the missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts). Ang, as early as 2022, was already part of the probe, but it took a bombshell testimony from his former right-hand man, Julie Patidongan, to pin him. The businessman is facing kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping with serious illegal detention cases, both non-bailable, as of January 2026. Like the past two fugitives Bantag and Roque, Philippine authorities have yet to arrest Ang. But who could forget arguably the two biggest fugitives under Marcos? Former congressman Zaldy Co and International Criminal Court (ICC) suspect Senator Bato dela Rosa. Co is at the heart of the flood control corruption as the House’s former appropriations chief and for being the beneficial owner of contractor Sunwest. He is facing graft and malversation cases before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan. Supposedly, Co was apprehended by authorities in the Czech Republic and Marcos announced this himself. After only a few days passed, the Marcos government cannot even disclose Co’s status after the supposed intervention. Was Co released? Did he escape or what? Malacañang swept the Co apprehension story under the rug just like that. Dela Rosa was in hiding for months since Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla announced that he had a pending warrant. He reappeared in May at the Senate, took custody there under the leadership of then-Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano. The Duterte ally escaped from the upper chamber hours after a shooting incident allegedly instigated by his military academy classmate. In the days that Dela Rosa was staying at the Senate, the Marcos government refused to arrest him. Then after he escaped, the Department of Justice announced a manhunt operation for the Senator. Just like that, another person has been included in the list of roaming fugitives under Marcos. Mr. President, these people are no ordinary citizens — they are high-profile individuals running from the wheels of justice. Their continued freedom not only shows lack of diligence from your administration’s part, but also political will. Your administration had the time and energy to announce blow-by-blow developments at the height of these issues, but went radio silent when the investigation hit the wall or when people forgot about these fugitives. Personally, I don’t forget these names, nor what they allegedly did. I have covered all these cases, as well as the victims on the other side of this story. The families longing for their loved ones, the people who were wronged. It’s a disservice to give them a flicker of hope, then leave them hanging in the middle of their quest for justice. The country is facing so many problems right now, but do not forget that it’s also your responsibility to ensure peace and order. A president also has the duty to ensure justice for everyone; exacting accountability even to the most powerful people of this land. I know, it’s not that simple, but do something. There are two years left on your term. Do not allow these fugitives to continue running from justice — and courage from escaping from you. Man up, Mr. Marcos. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading