Remulla declined my previous offer to step down, says Bantag

FILE PHOTO: Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag said Tuesday that he had offered to tender a courtesy resignation long before he was linked to Percy Lapid’s murder.

However, he claimed that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told him it was unnecessary.

Bantag is currently under preventive suspension following the death of Cristito Villamor Palaña (previously referred to as Jun or Crisanto Villamor), an alleged conspirator in Lapid’s killing. Palaña reportedly died at the New Bilibid Prison hospital hours after confessed gunman Joel Escorial was presented to the public in a news conference last October 18.

“Ang dapat na sisihin sana doon ay iyong superintendent ko na counterpart ng warden naman sa Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)…Ako lang talaga ang alam kong target. Mawala lang ako,” Bantag said in a phone interview over DZRH News.

(The one who should be blamed for that is my superintendent who is a counterpart of the warden in the BJMP. I know that I’m the only target here. Just to get rid of me.)

He then recalled previously initiating to tender a courtesy resignation which, he said, was rejected by Remulla.

“Kahit tanungin mo pa si Secretary Boying Remulla. Sabi ko sa kanya noon, noong earlier time namin, sabi ko na, ‘Sir, sanay naman tayo sa gobyerno. Sir, magte-tender ako ng courtesy resignation.’ Sabi niya, ‘Hindi na. Okay na iyan. Diyan ka na,’” Bantag narrated.

(Even if you ask Secretary Boying Remulla. I told him before, ‘Sir, we’re used to this in the government. Sir, I will tender my courtesy resignation.’ But he said, ‘No need, it’s okay. Stay there.’)

He did not disclose, however, what prompted him to make such an offer to Remulla.

Bantag claimed the conversation with Remulla was witnessed by his executive assistant.

READ: Bantag appointed as BuCor director-general, Malacañang confirms

“Akala ko ganun talaga, bakit umabot pa sa puntong ganito. Sana nag-resign nalang ako. Wala pang ganitong pangyayari,” he further lamented.

(I thought it was really like that. Why did it have to reach this point? I could have just resigned then. This wouldn’t have happened.)

Bantag, who was first appointed as BuCor chief by former President Rodrigo Duterte last March, is among the 160 persons of interest in the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) investigation of Lapid’s assassination.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. had noted that these persons of interest were identified as frequent targets of Lapid’s scathing commentaries in his radio program Lapid Fire.

READ: BuCor’s Bantag among 160 persons of interest in Percy Lapid slay

He clarified that just because they were considered persons of interest in Lapid’s (actual name: Percival Mabasa) murder case does not mean they are suspects.

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