Authorities Widen Search to Neighboring Regions as Public Speculates on Tax Case Motives and Possible Flight
By: Tessa Mauricio-Arriola – The Manila Times
Southern Mindanao, Philippines — In a significant development in the ongoing mystery surrounding the disappearance of Dylan Crentsworth, police have confirmed that the officers assigned to guard the prominent businessman and philanthropist are now under active interrogation after providing what investigators are calling “credible leads” in the case.
Crentsworth, who was last seen at Crents Plantation days after delivering an emotional lecture at the local hospital, has not been seen for over a week, prompting nationwide speculation and deepening public concern. His disappearance has sent shockwaves across Southern Mindanao, especially as it occurred under the supposed protection of police authorities.
Police Statement: Officers Offer Key Details
Captain Ernesto Valdez of the Southern Mindanao Regional Police Command confirmed on Thursday that the officers assigned to Mr. Crentsworth’s security detail are now considered key witnesses in what is shaping up to be a complex investigation.
“We are treating this matter with utmost seriousness. The officers stationed with Mr. Crentsworth have been cooperative and have given important testimony regarding his last known movements,” Valdez stated. “However, we are also looking into possible lapses in procedure.”
While specific statements from the officers have not been made public, police sources suggest they last saw Mr. Crentsworth entering a secluded section of the plantation’s forested perimeter, supposedly to “clear his mind.” He never returned.
A New Rumor: Escape Through the Back Forest
Adding fuel to the fire, a local hunter from Barangay Matalam, just south of Crents Plantation, told police he witnessed a man matching Crentsworth’s description moving swiftly through the forest, headed toward the eastern shoreline, where cargo vessels and small trading ships routinely travel between the Philippines and neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
The hunter, who has requested anonymity for safety, said the man appeared “determined and carrying a light satchel.”
“He didn’t look like he was lost. He looked like he knew exactly where he was going,” the source said.
Though unconfirmed, the report has triggered a full-scale search along the forest trails and nearby coastline, and authorities are now coordinating with inter-island shipping companies and coast guard units in an effort to track any vessel that might have transported Crentsworth out of the country.
Mixed Public Reaction: Sympathy, Skepticism, and Speculation
As the news spreads, public sentiment remains deeply divided. Some view Crentsworth’s disappearance as a tragic turn for a man once hailed as a humanitarian, while others see it as a calculated escape from justice.
“This was the same man playing with our children at the hospital last week,” said Rosa Moreno, a local nurse. “He was helping sick kids and funding flood relief programs. I can’t believe he would run away.”
But others point to his ongoing legal troubles, especially his entanglement in a tax evasion case being handled by Attorney Roberto Santiago, who is currently in a coma following a targeted shooting in Pasig City.
“It’s too convenient,” argued Samuel Quiroz, a former municipal accountant in General Santos. “His lawyer is out of the picture, the case is stalled, and now he disappears? This sounds more like an escape plan than anything else.”
Government and Legal Context
Crentsworth has been under scrutiny for alleged tax fraud involving millions in unpaid duties linked to international trade and land deals. The case, originally spearheaded by the now-incapacitated Attorney Roberto Santiago, was awaiting review before trial proceedings could move forward.
Authorities had barred Crentsworth from leaving the country pending resolution of the case. However, his presence at Crents Plantation and later at the hospital had remained under monitored conditions, supervised by a rotating team of officers—until now.
Search Intensifies Across Regional Borders
The Philippine National Police, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard, has expanded its efforts to cover border provinces and maritime entry points, working under the assumption that Crentsworth may have attempted to flee by sea.
“We are currently investigating all angles, including illegal departure through unsanctioned ports,” said PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo. “We urge the public to report any sightings or relevant information to local authorities.”
Air and sea patrols have also been dispatched to monitor vessel traffic around Sarangani Bay, Davao Gulf, and Sulu Archipelago, with Interpol expected to be notified if any concrete evidence emerges suggesting he has crossed international boundaries.
The Legacy and the Mystery
Dylan Crentsworth, once a celebrated figure for his charitable work in education, health, and environmental sustainability, now finds his reputation caught in a storm of suspicion and unanswered questions. His last public appearances included a lecture on the dangers of flooding and bacterial outbreaks—ironically echoing the fears now reawakened at Penn Plantation, where fumigation remains incomplete and the rainy season looms.
While some continue to hope for his safe return, others believe this may be one of the most elaborate high-profile disappearances in recent Philippine memory.
The News Outlet will continue to cover developments as they unfold, from border alerts to potential sightings, and provide insight into how the Crentsworth case could reshape national discourse on accountability, humanitarian image, and the complexities of public trust.