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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bato advises Bantag: 'Face the music, don't challenge the state'

Bato advises Bantag: 'Face the music, don't challenge the state'

Published Nov 8, 2022 04:20 pm

Embattled former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gerald Bantag should do his best to face up to the criminal charges that has been filed against him, linking him to the killing of broadcast journalist Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and and an inmate in the New Bilibid Prison named Cristito Palaña, who was earlier identified as Crisanto or Jun Villamor.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), on Monday, November 7, filed murder charges against Bantag, BuCor Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta and other NBP inmates for allegedly ordering the killing of Lapid and Palaña.

Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, said he hopes Bantag will face the charges as it would give him a chance to defend himself.

“Face the music. Harapin mo. Anyway, if you are really innocent, you will be set free,” Dela Rosa said during a press briefing.

Dela Rosa, who also served as BuCor chief prior to being elected a senator, said Bantag should not be afraid of being in danger if he surrenders to authorities.

“You can’t be in danger if you are under government custody. If we were able to give (former) Sen. Leila de Lima a separate facility, we can do it for him too. He can be detained at the PNP Custodial Center),” he said.

At the same time, Dela Rosa further advised Bantag not to challenge the government.

“Don’t challenge the state. Kung gusto mo panindigan pananalita mong ganyan magpakalalaki ka, panindigan mo sinasabi mo. Fight til death. Mahirap kalaban ang gobyerno (If you want to stand by your statements, man up and stand by what you said. Fight til death. It’s difficult to fight the government),” he said.

At the same time, Dela Rosa said the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, which he chairs, will defer holding any separate investigation into the Lapid case, in consideration of the PNP’s ongoing probe into the murder case.

Dela Rosa clarified he is not reluctant to conduct an investigation but authorities have requested him to give the PNP and the Department of Justice (DOJ) a chance to pursue the case.

“So far, I respect their investigation dahil pinagtutulungan naman yan ng DILG at DOJ (Because the DILG and DOJ are working hand in hand to resolve the case). Talagang they left no stone unturned,” he pointed out.

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