Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang on Wednesday said a plunder complaint would be filed against former BuCor chief Gerald Bantag for the unfinished construction of buildings at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

In an interview with reporters, Catapagang disclosed that during Bantag’s administration, BuCor released Php 1 billion in funds for the establishment of four penal facilities.

“All of these facilities were not finished on time and yet we already paid 95 percent of the cost of building up the facilities. We came to realize that it is only 60 percent finished. So we would like to look into this because these are public funds that have to be accounted for,” he said.

Catapang also revealed that BuCor personnel, who are responsible for the records of the facilities, admitted that they fabricated documents to claim that the four facilities were almost complete.

He added that this personnel mentioned to him that it was Bantag who gave the marching order.

“We will undergo the process of investigation. But those who were involved already accepted that indeed records were doctored,” Catapang said.

According to the BuCor OIC, the plunder complaints will be charged against Bantag by the end of the year or early next year.

Catapang also said they would request the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special audit for the projects that amounted to Php 1 billion.

“We will ask COA how come this happened? Apat na payments na nagawa and yet there is no cost audit,” he added.

On Tuesday, two gang leaders of the NBP came out and said they are also eyeing to press charges against Bantag for allegedly stabbing them in the hands and thighs.

Bantag is currently facing murder raps for the deaths of radio broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and alleged middleman Cristito 'Jun' Villamor.