DoJ to summon Bantag, Zulueta anew

BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. signed the two-page complaint aside from separate administrative case which was also filed against them

The Department of Justice will be serving another subpoena to suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Banta gang BuCor former deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta requiring them to answer a physical injury case filed in behalf of two prison gang leaders.

The DoJ said Sunday that the subpoena to be issued is part of the preparation for the conduct of a formal preliminary investigation into the torture and physical injury cases filed against Bantag and Zulueta.

Earlier, Bantag and Zulueta was charged with two murder complaints before the DoJ in connection with the murders of broadcaster Percy Lapid and middleman Jun Villamor.

On the other hand, the BuCor formally filed charges for violation of the Anti-Torture Act of 2019 and serious physical injuries against Bantag, while Zulueta was sued for violating Presidential Decree 1829 or obstruction of justice.

BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. signed the two-page complaint aside from separate administrative case which was also filed against them.

To recall, “Batang Cebu” leader Jonathan Cañete and “Batang Mindanao” leader Ronald Usman narrated that Bantag — who was reportedly drunk at that time — summoned them along with 11 other gang leaders to his office last 1 February 2022 supposedly to inquire about an inmate who escaped on 17 January.

When they arrived at the office of Bantag the two gang leaders claimed that he was already intoxicated and Cañete disclosed that the then BuCor chief approached him with a sword, pressed it on his chest and started cursing, this prompted him to parry the sword which made the former BuCor chief angry and then stabbed him on his leg.

Usman for his part, narrated that after assaulting Cañete, Bantag turned his ire on him by stabbing him on his right hand.

Due to the injury, the right hand of Usman was paralyzed.

The following day, they were again summoned to the office of Bantag and a certain Zulueta gave them P50,000 each for them to remain silent.

The two admitted they accepted the offer in fear that they might be harmed again.