DOJ's Remulla will ask Marcos to dismiss Bantag

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said he will formally ask President Ferdinand Marcos to dismiss suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag should he get the chance.

“When I have the chance. It’s not very urgent to me right now,” Remulla said in an ambush interview when asked if he would move for the dismissal of Bantag amid the allegations against him.

Bantag was pointed as the mastermind behind the killings of broadcaster Percy Lapid and alleged middleman Jun Villamor. He is facing two murder complaints

Authorities also recently found an excavation site at the New Bilibid Prison which Bantag said was for a swimming pool project, a joint venture with a private firm.

Remulla, however, said this was invalid as it did not have the approval of then-President Rodrigo Duterte and then-Justice secretary Menardo Guevarra.

He said Bantag also told him that he was digging for Yamashita treasure. Atty. Thomas Balisong, Bantag’s lawyer, said he has yet to discuss it with his client.

Remulla said Bantag is still under preventive suspension.

“[H]e’s still under preventive suspension anyway and that automatically gives him a hold departure order because he cannot travel without a travel permit when you are a member of the government,” he said.

When asked if he will look into the statements of BuCor inmates that they were tortured while under custody, the Justice secretary answered in the affimative.

“Of course, of course. Those are serious allegations,” he said.

Remulla said even persons deprived of liberty do not lose their rights.

“Maybe you may not have the right to communication, you cannot use a telephone inside, maraming curtailment of right na legal. Pero hindi lahat ng rights mo mawawala," he said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News