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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Jail guards file criminal charges vs Bantag

Jail guards file criminal charges vs Bantag

Published Jan 20, 2023 02:00 pm

BuCor Director General Gerald Q. Bantag

Six jail guards of the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) in Palawan on Friday, Jan. 20, filed a criminal complaint against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Q. Bantag who allegedly beat them up inside his office in 2020.

The complaint was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) by IPPF guards Lazaro Rafols Jr., Jer Sahid B. Mojado, Eddie Jimenez Jr., Richie C. Canja, Roy B. Gacasa, and Asher B. Labrador.

They accused Bantag of slander or oral defamation under Article 358 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), grave threats under Article. 282 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), grave coercion under Article 286 of RPC, torture under Republic Act No. 9745, and obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829.

Aside from Bantag, also named respondents in the complaint were former BuCor Deputy Director General Gabriel P. Chaclag, BuCor Deputy Security Officer Ricardo S. Zulueta, and BuCor personnel Jayferson G. Bon-as, Victor Erick L. Pascua, Bayani D. Allaga, Rose Marie, Casion, Joel M. Arnold, Kanoy B. Lattot, Ave B. Akilit, Edgar F. Angeles Jr., and Michale A. Marzan.

The complainants alleged that the criminal acts committed by Bantag and the other respondents happened at about 1 p.m. on March 2, 2020 at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

They alleged that the incident was an aftermath of encounter between them and the group they called “Bon-as” at the IPPF. They said that “Bon-as” is a jail guard of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) assigned at BuCor.

Through their lawyer Mauricio Ulep, the complainants alleged that they were accused of revealing the identity of an illegal drugs informant.

They said that they ordered to travel to Muntinlupa City from Puerto Princesa City. They added that when they were at the NBP, they were herded into Bantag’s office where they were beaten up.

There are now three separate criminal complaints and an administrative charge filed against Bantag.

Bantag had earlier been charged before the DOJ with two counts of murder for the deaths of radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” C. Mabasa and NBP inmate Cristito Villamor Palana who was named by self-confessed gunman Joel E. Escorial as the “middleman” in the slaying of the broadcaster.

The preliminary investigation on the murder complaints being conducted by a panel of DOJ prosecutors will resume on Jan. 24.

Last Jan. 13, Bantag was charged with torture and serious physical injuries for allegedly stabbing NBP’s PDLs Ronald Usman and Jonathan Escopete on Feb. 1, 2022.

Bantag’s administrative complaint for alleged grave misconduct and serious neglect of duty was filed when he reportedly violated established rules and regulations in allowing the 2021 media interview of PDL Jovito Palparan, a retired Army major general who was convicted and serving his jail term at the NBP.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla has ordered another preventive suspension of Bantag for 90 days. The first preventive suspension as ordered by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Oct. 21, 2022 when the investigation started on the involvement of NBP’s PDLs in the killing of Percy Lapid.

TAGS: #BuCor #Bantag #IPPF PDLs #Percy Lapid

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