Suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Q. Bantag has been ordered to submit to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Feb. 14 and 21 his counter-affidavits on two criminal complaints for torture and other charges.
The separate complaints were filed by two persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, and jail guards at the Iwahig Penal and Prison Farm (IPPF) in Palawan.
Prosecutor General Benedicto A. Malconteto said the PDLs’ complaint filed by Ronald Usman and Jonathan Escopete has been assigned to Assistant State Prosecutor Michael M. Humarang for preliminary investigation.
Usman and Escopete charged Bantag with violations of Section 5 of Republic Act (RA) No. 9745, the Anti-Torture Act of 2019, and two counts of serious physical injuries under Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
They alleged that they were stabbed by Bantag on Feb. 1, 2022 inside the latter’s office during a meeting of Bilibid gang leaders who were summoned.
The second complaint was filed by jail guards Lazaro Rafols Jr., Jer Sahid B. Mojado, Eddie Jimenez Jr., Richie C. Canja, Roy B. Gacasa, and Asher B. Labrador.
The guards alleged that they were beaten up by Bantag on March 2, 2020 after being accused by his men of “burning” or unmasking the identity of an illegal drugs informant.
They charged Bantag and other respondents with slander or oral defamation under Article 358 of the RPC, grave threats under Article 282 of the RPC, grave coercion under Article 286 of RPC, violation of the Anti-Torture Act, and for obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829.
Malcontento said the jail guards’ complaint was assigned to Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Roldan Parrocha and Prosecution Attorney Victor Dalanao.
Bantag has also been charged with plunder before the DOJ in connection with three projects for the construction of prison facilities which were funded at about P900 million.
Aside from plunder, Bantag and his co-respondents were charged with malversation of public funds thru falsification of official documents, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The plunder and other charges are under evaluation and are expected to be assigned to a panel of prosecutors for preliminary investigation.
The two murder complaints filed against Bantag as “principal by inducement” for the deaths of radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” C. Mabasa and PDL Cristito Villamor Palana who was tagged by self-confessed killer of the broadcaster as his “middleman” have been submitted for resolution.
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