Ombudsman dismisses Bantag's complaints vs. Remulla, Catapang

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the complaints filed by former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and current BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. for lack of probable cause.

“Wherefore, for lack of probable cause, the criminal cases… and for want of substantial evidence, the administrative cases… are dismissed,” the Ombudsman said.

Reacting to the development, the Department of Justice said ''the course of justice cannot be manipulated or swayed by tactics of distraction or defamation.''

''Now that the distraction of the harassment case is behind us, it is time for former Director General Bantag to face the music. The serious charges against him deserve the full attention of the court and the public. We are confident that the truth will prevail and justice will be served,'' it added. 

In January, Bantag accused Remulla and Catapang of murder, grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and conduct unbecoming of a public official.

Bantag’s camp had claimed that Remulla was the mastermind behind the killing of Lapid and Jun Villamor, the inmate who allegedly acted as the middleman in the ploy.

His complaint came amid the Department of Justice’s investigation into the deaths of Lapid and Villamor, of which Bantag was accused of being the mastermind.

At present, Bantag, former BuCor deputy Ricardo Zulueta, and others have been charged for the killings. Both remain at large.

In June, a Muntinlupa court archived the murder case against Bantag and Zulueta pending their arrest.

The court, meanwhile, sentenced  Mario Alvarez, Christian Ramac, Ricky Salgado, Ronnie Dela Cruz, and Joel Reyes to up to 14 years of imprisonment for the killing of Villamor.

They pleaded guilty to a lesser offense of accomplice to the crime of murder.

Meanwhile, the court convicted Alvin Labra, Aldrin Galicia, and Joseph Georfo after they pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of accessory to the crime of murder.

A Las Piñas court also found Galicia, Labra, and Alfie Peñaredonda guilty of the murder of Lapid.

Cash reward

The DOJ is also offering a P3-million cash reward to anyone who can provide information on Bantag and Zulueta.

DOJ spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano earlier said the DOJ and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are offering P2 million for any individual who can give credible information that will lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of Bantag.

Meanwhile, another P1 million is being offered to anyone who can give information that will lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of Zulueta.

Lapid was gunned down in Las Piñas City on October 3, 2022.

Villamor, meanwhile, died at the New Bilibid Prison on October 18. An autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun showed the remains of Villamor to have a “history of asphyxia by plastic bag suffocation.”

Bantag has repeatedly denied involvement in the killings. — RSJ/VBL, GMA Integrated News