The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Friday formally filed criminal charges against suspended BuCor director Gerald Bantag for allegedly stabbing two New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates.
In an interview with the media at the Department of Justice in Manila, BuCor lawyer Al Perreras said they filed charges against Bantag for violating Republic Act 9475 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 and serious physical injuries.
In December last year, two NBP inmates namely Roland Usman and Jonathan Escopete have come out and claimed that Bantag allegedly stabbed them in the hands and thighs on February 1, 2022.
They also said that a certain “Zulueta” came to them and gave them Php 50,000 each in exchange for their silence.
Parreras said this was why they also filed two counts of violation of Presidential Decree 1829 or Obstruction of Justice against BuCor deputy officer Ricardo Zulueta.
"They are afraid of Bantag to file a complaint. They were given 50,000 each by Zulueta just not to file case against Bantag during that time it happened," he said.
The BuCor lawyer also said that five commanders of the NBP maximum prison compound have witnessed the stabbing incident and they all gave their affidavits.
As per the plunder charges that Bantag may face for the unfinished construction of NBP buildings, Parreras said they are still getting sworn statements of witnesses.
"Siguro, days pa aabutin kasi 'yung gravity of the offense. We need to get firm evidence eh. Siguro by next or next next week," he added.
Bantag and Zulueta are currently facing murder raps for the death of radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa or Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Cristito 'Jun' Villamor.
