Authorities Trace Possible Escape Route Through Southern Mindanao Forests; Public Divided Over Philanthropist’s Disappearance Amid Tax Evasion Case
By: Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario – PNA
Southern Mindanao, Philippines – The mystery surrounding the disappearance of businessman and philanthropist Dylan Crentsworth has taken a dramatic turn, as increasing reports and credible tips now place him in Taipei, according to officials close to the ongoing investigation.
Following intensive interrogations of the police officers assigned to his security detail, Southern Mindanao authorities, backed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Interpol, have intensified the manhunt, widening the search to international borders, particularly in Taiwan, where Crentsworth is now believed to be hiding in plain sight.
From Plantation to Taipei: A Trail of Unfolding Clues
Crentsworth was last seen at Crents Plantation more than a week ago. His disappearance, initially believed to have occurred under strict police supervision, triggered public outcry and questions of negligence or complicity. Investigators later revealed that he may have used the dense forest behind the plantation to reach a nearby coastline, where a local hunter reported seeing a man matching his description boarding a vessel that frequently travels to neighboring countries.
Now, intelligence leads and tip-offs from Southeast Asia, including images resembling Crentsworth circulating on social media, have redirected the spotlight to Taipei, where local law enforcement and Interpol are now coordinating search efforts.
“We are tracking several promising leads that place Mr. Crentsworth in Taipei. With his face now recognized globally, we’ve begun receiving credible information from individuals abroad. We are verifying all sightings in cooperation with Taiwanese authorities,” said PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil during a press briefing on Thursday.
Tax Case and Legal Shadow Loom Large
The sudden vanishing of Crentsworth comes at a critical moment in his legal life. He is the subject of a high-profile tax evasion case involving millions of pesos in alleged unpaid taxes tied to land holdings and export revenue.
His case was being handled by Attorney Roberto Santiago, who remains in critical condition after surviving a targeted assassination in Pasig City, leaving the case in legal limbo. Crentsworth was previously barred from international travel and had been under surveillance, splitting time between the government hospital in Southern Mindanao—where he had been helping sick children—and Crents Plantation, his vast agricultural estate.
Mixed Emotions Across the Public Sphere
News of the latest development has sparked divided sentiments among the Filipino public, particularly in Southern Mindanao where Crentsworth was revered for his charitable work, environmental lectures, and hands-on involvement in community development.
“He was just here, holding kids at the hospital, talking about building flood-safe homes,” said Nurse Abigail Torres, who attended his recent lecture. “It’s hard to believe he would abandon the people he cared about.”
But others view his sudden disappearance and the potential flight abroad as a calculated move to evade justice, especially considering the timing of Attorney Santiago’s incapacitation.
“He disappeared while under police watch. If he’s in Taipei, that wasn’t an accident. That was an escape,”said Eduardo Salazar, a retired regional prosecutor. “It’s a betrayal of public trust.”
Online forums and social media have become battlegrounds for opinion, with hashtags such as #WhereIsDylan, #JusticeForSantiago, and now #CrentsworthInTaipei trending across platforms in the Philippines.
Interpol Engagement and Cross-Border Coordination
The Philippine government has now formally engaged Interpol, issuing a blue notice for information gathering and surveillance across borders. If credible identification is confirmed in Taipei, a red notice (international arrest warrant) could be issued, enabling his detention and potential extradition.
“No one is above the law. If Mr. Crentsworth is confirmed to be in Taipei or any other jurisdiction, we will do what is necessary to bring him back to face justice,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla in a televised address.
Meanwhile, local law enforcement has not ruled out internal misconduct or facilitation, and administrative proceedings are expected against the officers assigned to Crentsworth during his last known moments at the plantation.
A Nation on Edge, A Story Still Unfolding
As the search stretches across borders and emotions run high, Crentsworth’s disappearance raises profound questions about wealth, influence, accountability, and justice. Once celebrated for his philanthropy and grassroots engagement, he is now at the center of one of the most compelling legal and moral sagas in recent Philippine memory.
Whether he is ultimately found in Taipei, remains in hiding, or returns to answer the charges, the case of Dylan Crentsworth continues to captivate—and divide—a nation.
The news outlet will continue to follow this developing story, with updates from Philippine authorities, Interpol, and sources on the ground across Southeast Asia.