Interpol Joins Hunt as Public Reacts to Growing Rumors, Legal Shadows, and a Nation Divided
By: Filane Mikee Cervantes – PNA
Southern Mindanao, Philippines / Taipei, Taiwan – The search for missing businessman and philanthropist Dylan Crentsworth has taken an international turn, as police now intensify operations in Taipei following a series of credible sightings and anonymous tips placing him in the Taiwanese capital. With his name and face circulating widely across media platforms in Southeast Asia, authorities have issued a cash reward for anyone who can provide verifiable information leading to his whereabouts, escalating the urgency—and controversy—of the case.
Crentsworth vanished over a week ago from Crents Plantation in Southern Mindanao, where he was last seen under police supervision, shortly after delivering a moving lecture on environmental hazards at a local hospital. His disappearance came amidst a high-profile tax evasion case, which was being managed by Attorney Roberto Santiago, who remains in a coma following a targeted shooting in Pasig City.
From the Plantation to the Pacific: A Cross-Border Mystery
According to sources within the Southern Mindanao Regional Police, the officers assigned to Crentsworth’s security detail have been interrogated and have reportedly provided credible information supporting the theory that he used a back route through the forest behind the plantation to reach a nearby port, where he may have boarded a trading vessel bound for an unregistered route into Taiwan.
Local intelligence efforts are now being reinforced by Interpol and Taiwanese authorities, as multiple unconfirmed sightings and images resembling Crentsworth have surfaced on social media in Taipei, particularly around the Daan and Zhongzheng Districts.
“We are currently following several viable leads,” said PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil. “With the help of Interpol and local law enforcement in Taipei, we are actively tracing any movement or interaction that might link Mr. Crentsworth to the city.”
Cash Reward Sparks Mixed Public Reactions
In a new move to draw out whistleblowers or eyewitnesses, the Department of Justice, in cooperation with the PNP, has placed a cash reward of ₱5 million (approx. $85,000) for any credible information that leads to the confirmation of Crentsworth’s location.
While law enforcement officials believe this will encourage public participation, the reward has been met with mixed reactions from both Southern Mindanao residents and the national public.
“It feels wrong,” said Rosa Mendez, a former Crents Plantation employee. “One week he’s building homes for flood victims, and the next there’s a bounty on his head. It’s heartbreaking.”
Others see it as a necessary step in holding the powerful accountable.
“Let’s be honest,” said Joey Maralit, a political analyst based in Davao. “This man was under investigation for tax fraud, his lawyer is fighting for his life, and now he’s gone. A reward is not just justified—it’s overdue.”
Online forums are ablaze with opposing views, with hashtags like #FindDylan, #JusticeForSantiago, and #CrentsworthInTaipei trending across platforms in both the Philippines and Taiwan.
A Case Shrouded in Suspicion and Sympathy
Crentsworth, once celebrated for his philanthropy—particularly in education, health, and sustainable farming—now finds his reputation mired in legal and ethical questions. His disappearance has complicated the already delayed tax evasion proceedings, originally spearheaded by Attorney Santiago, whose shooting has raised further questions about the risks and players involved in the case.
A Department of Finance report earlier this year revealed that Crentsworth could face tens of millions of pesos in tax liabilities, prompting legal experts to question whether his recent acts of charity were also part of a reputation repair strategy.
“His philanthropy is undeniable, but so are the facts of the case. If he’s innocent, he needs to return and prove it in court,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, speaking at a joint press conference with the National Bureau of Investigation.
Interpol’s Role and Cross-Border Surveillance
With Interpol officially engaged, surveillance and intelligence sharing have been extended to neighboring Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. While Taiwan does not have official diplomatic relations with the Philippines, cooperative law enforcement ties remain strong, and the search in Taipei is being actively pursued in close coordination with local agencies.
The PNP has also requested airport footage, hotel guest records, and surveillance from ports of entry and exit in Taiwan, focusing especially on undocumented arrivals and sea-based entries that bypassed immigration checkpoints.
A Nation Awaits: Flight or Fear?
As the hunt for Dylan Crentsworth unfolds beyond Philippine borders, the nation remains divided—between those who remember him as a community savior and those who now suspect him of being a fugitive from justice.
“If he really cared about us, he’d face the court,” said Marcelo Santos, a flood survivor from a nearby village. “Now, it feels like we were just part of a story he wanted to sell.”
Others remain hopeful he is simply taking time for his safety or health, and may eventually return to clear his name.
For now, the trail points to Taipei—and with the international spotlight growing, pressure mounts on authorities to deliver answers.
The news outlet will continue tracking developments from Southern Mindanao to Taipei, bringing updates on the search, public reactions, and the fate of one of the Philippines’ most compelling—and controversial—public figures in recent memory.