BuCor files torture raps vs Bantag

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections yesterday filed complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against suspended BuCor chief Gerald Bantag and former deputy security officer Supt. Ricardo Zulueta for allegedly torturing two inmates of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

BuCor lawyer Al Perreras told reporters they charged Bantag with violating the Anti-Torture Act of 2019 and serious physical injuries. Zulueta was charged with violating Presidential Decree 1829 or obstruction of justice.

The BuCor also filed an administrative complaint against them for grave misconduct.

The charges against Bantag and Zulueta were in connection with the alleged stabbing of inmates Jonathan Escopete and Ronald Usman in Bantag’s office on Feb. 1, 2022.

The two-page complaint, signed by BuCor acting director Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., stated that Bantag, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, told the two inmates to go to his office and “for no apparent reasons, tortured them and inflicted injuries upon their persons.”

Usman alleged that Bantag held his right hand and stabbed his palm “with the use of a double-bladed knife” while Escopete claimed Bantag used the knife to slash his shirt and pointed it at his chest, “causing it to bleed.”

Escopete said he pleaded for mercy, but Bantag then “stabbed his left thigh.”

“Both complainants suffered serious physical injuries which required medical attendance for one or two months for Usman and three to four weeks for Escopete,” Catapang said in the complaint as he emphasized that Zulueta allegedly did not do anything to prevent Bantag from torturing the inmates.

Catapang said that Zulueta allegedly bribed the inmates P50,000 each in exchange for their silence and threatened that “something bad might happen to them” if they do not accept the money, leaving them no choice but to accept it.

Perreras said they filed the complaints only now as Bantag and Zulueta no longer have power over the BuCor and the NBP and this has given inmates the courage to speak up.

“Even the other inmates now want to file complaints against Bantag,” Perreras said.

Bantag and Zulueta are facing charges for the murders of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid and the alleged middleman in Lapid’s killing, Jun Villamor.

The BuCor is also eyeing the filing of a plunder case against Bantag over the supposed unfinished construction of buildings worth P1 billion.

Asked if they are also investigating similar cases in the NBP, Perreras said yes.

Earlier this month, Bantag filed murder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Catapang, accusing them of killing Lapid and Villamor.

Bantag also filed administrative complaints of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and conduct unbecoming of a public official against Remulla and Catapang.