MANILA, Philippines — Former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag and his deputy, Ricardo Zulueta, have been indicted for allegedly torturing two New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmates, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday.
In a press briefing, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said prosecutors found probable cause to take Bantag and Zulueta to trial on charges of torture and serious physical injuries in connection with the allegations of inmates Ronald Usman and Jonathan Escopete, who are serving life sentences.
Bantag is facing two counts of physical and mental torture under the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 while Zulueta is facing similar charges as an accessory.
Bantag is also facing two counts of serious physical injuries.
The former BuCor chief allegedly summoned the two inmates to his office at the NBP in February 2022.
Escopete accused Bantag of stabbing him in the left thigh. Usman said he was stabbed in the right hand, paralyzing his middle finger.
Remulla said the cases would be filed before the Muntinlupa City regional trial court.
Meanwhile, an administrative charge of grave misconduct against Bantag and Zulueta in connection with the incident has been referred to the DOJ’s technical division.
Prison guards from Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan have also filed a torture complaint against Bantag.
The cases are among the four criminal charges faced by Bantag.
He was earlier charged with murder for the killing of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid and inmate Cristito Villamor Palaña, who was alleged to be the middleman in Lapid’s kill contract.
Recently, BuCor director Gregorio Catapang Jr. filed charges of plunder, graft, malversation of public funds, grave misconduct and dishonesty against Bantag.