New BuCor chief says he will 'butcher' those who try to bribe him

MANILA, Philippines — Newly-appointed Bureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag has issued a warning against those who will attempt to bribe him.

Bantag, former Manila jail warden, recently met with BuCor officials after taking his oath of office last week.

"Sinabi ko sa meeting na 'yun na ang magbibigay sa akin ng pera ay, mawalang galang na salita siguro medyo may connotation, kakatayin ko," Bantag said in an interview with radio dzMM Monday.

(I said in that meeting that those who will give me money... I will butcher them.)

The new BuCor chief clarified that what he meant by "butchering" is that he will file administrative and criminal cases against those who will try to bribe him.

Bantag also told BuCor personnel that he came into the agency to "fix them" and not to make himself rich.

"Ang ikakatakot siguro nila ay kahit ilang pera ang isuhol nila sa akin, wala 'yun," Bantag said.

(What they should be afraid of is that no matter how much money they bribe me with, that's nothing.)

Malacañang announced the appointment of Bantag last week, after President Rodrigo Duterte fired Nicanor Faeldon.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Bantag was chosen to lead the BuCor because of his "professional competence and honesty."

Bantag, former jail warden of the  Parañaque City Jail, is facing 10 counts of murder following an explosion at the city jail in 2016, where 10 inmates died. — Patricia Lourdes Viray

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