Bantag denies stabbing Bilibid inmates, says lawyer

Suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag is denying claims that he stabbed two gang leaders at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) while he was drunk, his attorney said Thursday.

Lawyer Rocky Balisong made the remark after gang commanders Ronald Usman and Jonathan Cañeta said they are looking to file charges against Bantag, accusing him of stabbing them months earlier inside the national penitentiary.

Bantag’s lawyer said that they will await the documents of the complaint, but stressed that his client told him on Wednesday that he does not recall any incident wherein he hurt the inmates.

“We’ll just wait kung ano man ang reklamo na ifa-file laban sa kanya [whatever complaints will be filed against him] regarding that, and we will take it from there. But he doesn’t remember anything about stabbing these inmates,” Balisong said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

He also answered in affirmative when asked if the suspended official did not hurt any persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

“Not one PDL,” the lawyer said, adding that Bantag was only laughing at all the allegations being thrown at him at the moment.

The victims, however, earlier claimed they were summoned by Bantag to his office on February 1. Upon their arrival, they said they noticed him drinking with two other commanders, already intoxicated.

Cañeta said Bantag poked him on the chest with a sharp object. Hurt, he said he parried the blade, which angered Bantag who then stabbed him in the leg.

Usman, on the other hand, said Bantag stabbed his hand.

Both prisoners said a certain “Zulueta” approached them the next day and paid them P50,000 each to remain silent. They did not clarify who the official is but said former deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta is a close ally of Bantag.

BuCor OIC Gregorio Catapang Jr. said Wednesday they have received Cañeta and Usman's affidavit, noting that the complaint may be for physical harm or physical injury.

Percy Lapid case

Moreover, Balisong said that they already received the position of the family of slain broadcaster Percy Lapid, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding the Bantag camp's motion for inhibition against a panel of prosecutors.

This was in connection to the investigation into the deaths of Lapid and Jun Villamor, the inmate who allegedly acted as the middleman in the plot to kill the former.

Both Bantag and Zulueta are facing complaints for murder for the killing of the two victims. They have since denied any role in the deaths.

Bantag's camp earlier filed the motion against the panel of the Department of Justice (DOJ), suspending the preliminary investigation into the killing of broadcast journalist Percy Lapid.

Citing the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the Ombudsman Act of 1989, Balisong said the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman.

Asked when the decision on the case would be bared, Balisong said they expect it out by next year.

“What is good is we already filed a reply and then the other camp will also be filing the rejoinder. After filing the rejoinder, it will be submitted for a resolution,” he said.

He said that they could file a motion for reconsideration or file a counter affidavit, if the motion for inhibition is junked.

“Whatever will be their findings, we will be exercising our legal remedies kung ano ang gagawin namin kung magre-request kami before the higher courts or not,” Balisong said, referring to the Court of Appeals.

Lookout bulletin

Further, Balisong said his client is planning to stay in the Philippines, even after the DOJ recently issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against Bantag and Zulueta.

“Dito lang siya sa Pilipinas. Binibiro ko nga siya na pasyal muna tayo sa Hong Kong, tingnan natin kung pipigilan ka sa Immigration [He's staying here in the Philippines. I even joked to him that we should visit Hong Kong to see if he will be stopped at Immigration]. Pero I’m sure, they will not do that because that’s not the purpose of the lookout,” he said.

Balisong emphasized that Bantag still has a right to travel abroad whenever he wants to. — BM, GMA Integrated News