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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bantag denies stabbing 2 Bilibid inmates

Bantag denies stabbing 2 Bilibid inmates

Published Dec 22, 2022 02:20 pm

BuCor Director General Gerald Q. Bantag

Suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Q. Bantag, through his lawyer Rocky Balisong, on Thursday, Dec. 22, denied stabbing or hurting any person deprived of liberty (PDL) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

“According to him (Bantag) wala siyang sinaktan na mga inmates (he did not hurt any inmates),” Balisong said during an interview on CNN Philippines.

Balisong responded to the latest allegations against Bantag who was accused by two PDLs of stabbing them last Feb. 1.

BuCor Officer-In-Charge Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. had said the two PDLs have executed their affidavits and the complaints are expected to be filed against Bantag.

“We will just wait kung ano man na reklamo na ipafile laban sa kanya (whatever complaint will be filed against Bantag) regarding that and we will take it from there,” Balisong said.

Two murder complaints have been filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Bantag for the deaths of radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” C. Mabasa and NBP inmate Cristito Villamor Palana, the alleged middleman of self-confessed gunman Joel S. Escorial in the killing of the broadcaster last Oct. 3.

The murder complaints alleged that Bantag ordered some gang leaders of PDLs in NBP to arrange the killings of Mabasa and Palana.

On the alleged stabbing of two gang leaders, Balisong said: “Nakakatawa nga lang kasi kung totoo man ‘yan di umano ‘yung claim, how can he use these inmates kung talagang sinaksak niya ang mga ito (It’s funny because if the latest allegations are true then how can he use these inmates if he really did stab them).”

He added that he would not be surprised anymore if more allegations would be coming out against Bantag.

“Well expected ‘yan kasi nakikita natin yung trend ng mga sinasampa na kasalanan daw niya ang dami. So nakikita natin ginagamit lahat yung mga PDLs. So ine-expect namin ‘yun na may baka may mga iba pang ilalabas diyan gagamitin laban sa kanya na mga PDLs (Well, we have expected that because of the trend of numerous accusations against Bantag. We see that PDLs are being used against him. So we expect that more PDLs will come out and will be used against Bantag),” he said.

On top of the two murder and stabbing complaints, Bantag may still be charged with plunder in connection with the construction of a building for PDLs.

OIC Catapang had said that he will seek the assistance of the Commission on Audit (COA) on the possible plunder violation.

“So, if Gen. Catapang will go to COA that is the proper action for him to do,” Balisong said.

He said he would profer to answer the plunder and all other allegations against Bantag before the proper forum.

In the meantime, he said, he is concentrating on the murder complaints against Bantag.

Balisong has filed a motion to inhibit the panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the conduct of the preliminary investigation of the two murder complaints.

His motion has not been resolved by the panel.

TAGS: #DOJ #BuCor #Bantag #Percy Lapid

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