Bantag sees foes' hand in suspension from BuCor

Suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gerald Bantag on Tuesday linked his suspension to individuals who he said have issues against him.

"Alam niyo naman ang dami kong nasagasan. Drug lords — lahat po i-mention na natin. Talagang magpi-piyesta talaga sila," Bantag said in a radio interview when asked for a possible reason for his temporary removal from office.

(You know, I have stepped on many toes. Drugs lord — let's mention of all them. They would surely celebrate.)

Bantag was preventively suspended following the death of Jun Villamor, an inmate at the New Bilibid Prison who has been tagged as middleman in the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid.

He was replaced by BuCor OIC Gregorio Catapang, a former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

According to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. wanted Bantag suspended to give way to a “fair and impartial investigation.”

Person of interest

Bantag was also among the 160 persons of interest in the killing of Lapid. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said these personalities were criticized by the broadcaster in his program.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Bantag was the only one named among the 160 persons of interest because of the current investigation on Villamor's death.

“Kaya naman po napangalanan si [Bantag] kasi nga po ongoing po 'yun investigation doon sa nangyaring pagkamatay po ni [Villamor] na namatay nga po siya habang nakakulong po sa NBP,” he said.

(Bantag was named because there is an ongoing investigation into the death of Villamor while inside the NBP.)

“May ongoing investigation po na kina-conduct ang Department of Justice to determine po yung responsable o accountable po doon sa nangyaring pagkamatay ni [Villamor] so nabanggit po doon na isa sa person of interest si [Bantag],” he added.

(The Department of Justice is conducting an investigation to determine who is responsible or accountable for the death of Villamor, that’s why Bantag was mentioned as person of interest.)

When asked about this, Bantag said Lapid's criticisms were not true.

“Alam mo, nakita ko rin 'yung parang ano, parang YouTube, pang tawag doon sa programa niya.  At ang mga binabanggit naman niya walang katotohanan 'yun,” Bantag said.

(You know, I saw his program on YouTube. What he said was not true.) —with Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News