Additional complaint lodged vs Bantag, Zulueta over alleged torture of Bilibid inmates

Suspended BuCor chief Gerald Bantag (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — Another complaint has been filed against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag, this time for allegedly torturing inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

In the complaint filed Friday by BuCor before the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bantag is accused of violating Section 5 (Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Punishment) of Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2019  and two counts of violation of Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code for serious physical injuries.

The complaint sheet also named BuCor Superintendent Ricardo Zulueta for two counts of violation of Presidential Decree 1829 for Obstruction of Justice.

The complaint is based on the affidavit of two gang leaders – Ronald S. Usman of “Batang Mindanao” and Jonathan Escopete (previously identified as Jonathan Cañete) of “Batang Cebu.”

BuCor acting Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said Usman and Escopete executed a complaint affidavit detailing the February 1, 2022, incident where both were allegedly tortured for “no apparent reason.”

According to the complaint, Escopete and Usman were among the prison gang leaders at the Maximum Security Compound who were summoned to Bantag’s office.

“Usec. Bantag, who was then under the influence of liquor and for no apparent reasons, tortured them and inflicted serious physical injuries,” reads the complaint.

READ: TIMELINE: Veteran radioman Percy Lapid’s slay case

Usman alleged that Bantag held his right hand and stabbed his right palm using a double-bladed knife. Escopete, on the other hand, accused Bantag of slashing his shirt and poking into his chest using a Kris knife which caused bleeding.

“He (Escopete) pleaded for mercy, and when he could not endure the torture, he tried to hold the pointed end of the kris knife but Usec. Bantag stabbed his left thigh,” the complaint states.

According to the complaint, Usman required medical attention for one to two months, while Escopete required treatment for three to four weeks.

The complaint likewise alleged that despite Zulueta’s presence, he did nothing to stop Bantag. Usman and Escopete claimed that a day after the incident, Zulueta even gave them P50,000.

Zulueta, based on the complaint, “warned them that if they do not accept the money, something bad might happen to them; that they have no recourse but to accept the money which they used in treating their wounds.”

Catapang signs the complaint sheet.

This fresh complaint against Bantag and Zulueta was on top of the murder complaint filed against them for the death of radioman Percival Mabasa or “Percy Lapid” and Bilibid inmate Jun Villamor, the alleged middleman who contacted confessed gunman Joel Escorial to kill the veteran broadcaster.

An administrative case for grave misconduct was also filed against Bantag and Zulueta.

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