Bucor chief Catapang readies plunder, torture raps vs Bantag, Zulueta

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HE Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) is set to file plunder charges against suspended Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) chief Gerald Bantag in connection with the unfinished P1-billion project for the construction of prison cells intended to address the congestion problem at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City and other prison facilities.

Bucor Officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang Jr., who took over Bantag’s post after he was suspended for his alleged involvement in the killing veteran radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and Bilibid inmate Jun Villamor, claimed that 95 percent of the P1-billion budget for the construction of the prison cells had already been claimed but only 60 percent of the prison cells being built were completed.

“Imagine, the budget allotted by the government for the construction of new prison cells is around P1 billion. With that amount, Bucor should have been decongested,” Catapang said in an interview over dzbb.

“Come to think of it, 95 percent of the money had been claimed already, but only 60 percent has been completed. There is even no roof. So how will the PDLS [persons deprived of liberty] live there if it’s unfinished?” he added.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has prioritized the decongestion of prison facilities since he assumed office last July with hundreds of eligible inmates being released every month.

Bantag’s lawyer Rocky Thomas Balisong said his client would answer all charges against him in the proper forum.

“We will wait for it and answer it in the proper forum,” Balisong stressed.

Catapang also said criminal charges will also be filed against Bantag and in connection with the alleged stabbing of two Bilibid gang leaders identified as Jonathan Caneta and Ronald Usman.

Catapang said charges might be filed against Bantag before the Muntinlupa prosecutor’s office on or before Friday.

“Hopefully, we can file the case before Friday here at Muntinlupa since the crime happened here,” he said.

Catapang also said they are looking into the claim of an inmate in Leyte that he was also stabbed on the order of former Bucor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta following an altercation.

Zulueta is also named as the principal accused in the killings of Lapid and Villamor.