The hold departure order (HDO) against former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and former deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta has been included in the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) system.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco shared that the BI received the April 25 order from the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court on Thursday.
The HDO prevents Zulueta and Bantag from leaving the Philippines.
“The HDO was immediately encoded in our centralized system and may be seen by our immigration officers at all ports nationwide,” said Tansingco. “Should they be encountered in any airport or seaport, they will be prevented from departing without prior approval from the courts,” he added.
It can be recalled that in December 2022, the BI has also implemented a lookout bulletin order against Bantag and Zulueta, directing all immigration officers to closely report to the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation any attempt by the suspects to leave the country.
