Once hailed for his generosity and devotion to Southern Mindanao’s most vulnerable, Crentsworth’s mysterious disappearance now raises urgent questions about justice, humanity, and the fragility of trust
By: Benjamin Pulta – PNA
Southern Mindanao, Philippines / Taipei, Taiwan – The international manhunt for missing businessman and philanthropist Mr. Dylan Crentsworth has taken a dramatic new turn, as Philippine authorities confirm that family members and at least one officer previously assigned to his security detail are now under interrogation. According to a reliable source who requested anonymity, investigators believe some individuals close to Mr. Crentsworth may have had prior knowledge of his alleged plan to flee the country.
This comes after a key police officer, during interrogation, revealed that Mr. Crentsworth may have intended to travel to Taipei, prompting the Philippine National Police (PNP), Interpol, and Taiwanese authorities to ramp up coordinated search operations in Taipei.
The tycoon, known for his philanthropic work across Southern Mindanao, vanished from Crents Plantation weeks ago, sparking a regional and now international crisis that has put government credibility, border security, and public trust under scrutiny.
Arrests, Interrogations, and Expanding Investigation
A high-ranking police source speaking on condition of anonymity told media that one of the officers arrested is believed to have actively enabled or at least knowingly ignored Crentsworth’s escape plan. Further, members of Crentsworth’s extended family are now being questioned under suspicion that they may have been aware of his alleged exit strategy, which involved navigating through remote forest routes behind the plantation to reach an unregulated seaport.
“We are investigating all potential accomplices and breakdowns in the chain of responsibility,” said PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil. “The search has expanded beyond tracking one man—it is now about identifying how such a high-profile figure vanished under official supervision.”
Crentsworth Rumored in Taipei: Intensified Search Raises Privacy Concerns
As search teams scour Taipei’s urban districts, particularly in Zhongzheng, Daan, and Wanhua, reports have emerged from Taiwanese locals who claim that police raids and unannounced searches of buildings and private residences have left communities unsettled.
“They came to our apartment complex without warning,” said Mr. Jian Chen, a resident of Zhongzheng District. “They said they were acting on an international tip, but people here feel their privacy is being invaded.”
Still, authorities insist that credible information continues to pour in, and with Interpol support, local and international police are combing ports, transit hubs, hospitals, and hotels for any sign of Crentsworth.
Increased Reward Spurs Tips—and Debate
Earlier this week, the Department of Justice and the PNP raised the reward for information leading to Crentsworth’s capture to ₱10 million (approx. $170,000). While the decision has resulted in an influx of new tips, it has also sparked fierce public debate.
“Offering that kind of money makes it look like a bounty hunt, not a justice process,” said Maria Lourdes Salcedo, a political science professor at Ateneo de Davao University. “It sends a dangerous signal, especially when the man in question has not been convicted of a crime.”
Others, however, see it as a necessary step in the pursuit of legal accountability.
“This isn’t about his philanthropy anymore,” said Rico Velasco, a legal affairs correspondent in General Santos. “This is about fleeing a tax case and the collapse of due process. If money motivates someone to come forward, so be it.”
Health Concerns Add Emotional Weight
While some question Crentsworth’s intentions, others remain deeply worried about his health and well-being. Crentsworth was receiving medical care at a government hospital before his disappearance and was seen attending to sick children and elderly patients in the days leading up to his vanishing.
“What if he didn’t run? What if something went wrong?” asked Nurse Eliza Montenegro, who worked closely with him. “We may be looking in the wrong places or assuming the worst of someone who gave us his best.”
The Legal Shadow: Santiago’s Silence and Tax Charges
Crentsworth’s disappearance has left his legal affairs in suspension. His attorney, Roberto Santiago, remains in critical condition after a violent attack in Pasig City, with no replacement counsel officially appointed. The tax evasion charges, estimated to involve tens of millions of pesos, were scheduled for pre-trial motion before Santiago was shot.
“There is a vacuum now—no defense, no defendant,” said DOJ Spokesperson Atty. Mico Estrella. “But the law does not stop just because someone vanishes. We will press on until closure is achieved.”
Interpol’s Reach and What Lies Ahead
With Interpol’s coordination now extending across Taiwan and nearby cities, the world’s attention remains fixed on whether Dylan Crentsworth will be found—and how the Philippines will respond if he is not.
As authorities widen the net, and public discourse grows more polarized, the legacy of a man once hailed as a philanthropic saviour now balances precariously between heroism and fugitive status.
The news outlet will continue its coverage of the Crentsworth disappearance, providing verified updates from Southern Mindanao, Taipei, and Interpol authorities as this story unfolds.