Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) Director Gerald Bantag seems to be full of hot air.
When he assumed the post of Bucor chief on Sept. 30, 2019, he brandished two katana (Japanese samurai swords) and an Uzi machine pistol at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and told inmates and prisons guards he would be very strict with them.
Bantag said he would behead prison guards who allowed inmates to bring in illegal drugs and weapons.
To add to his flamboyance, he ordered the demolition of all kubol structures (huts) within the prison compound.
Rich inmates were allowed to set up the kubol structures to receive their guests in private. Of course, they did so after paying off prison officials.
On Jan. 17, 2022, four inmates from the maximum security compound – meaning, the most guarded place in the penitentiary – escaped, one of them lugging a Bushmaster automatic carbine.
The escapees shot the guards at Gate 3 and Gate 4, injuring some of the guards.
Questions arise how the inmates escaped from the most secured compound and where they got the automatic rifle.
As a result of the escape, Bantag ordered the demolition of all the kubol inside the prison compound.
But wait! Didn’t Bantag order the demolition of those structures when he took over Bucor three years ago?
Didn’t he say he would behead any prison guard who allowed drugs and guns to be brought in?
Upon inspection of all the prison cells, 500 bladed weapons, improvised firearms and other contraband items were found.
Why hasn’t Bantag beheaded guards who colluded with the inmates in bringing in those forbidden items?
Bantag apparently didn’t learn from the late retired police general Vicente Vinarao whose tenure at Bucor could be considered the Age of Camelot: guards were always at their posts, inmates didn’t entertain plans of bolting and no drugs or weapons were smuggled into the NBP.
Although he treated inmates humanely, the former chief of the Manila police Intelligence and Special Operations Division (ISOD) didn’t hesitate to impose hard discipline on very unruly inmates.
Some of the intractable prisoners were thrown to penal colonies in the provinces, considered a harsh punishment, or they just disappeared or ended up dead in their cell.
Vinarao had spies in every cell, the reason he knew which inmates were misbehaving.
Bantag, who was then a cadet at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA), went on an on-the-job training at the NBP during Vinarao’s time.
* * *
“I wish to thank all members of the police force for doing your share in continuously making the PNP an organization trusted and respected by the people, thus making the 31st founding anniversary a truly meaningful celebration,” Gen. Dionardo Carlos, Philippine National Police chief, wrote on his Facebook account.
Trusted and respected? Hahahahaha!
Feared but ridiculed, yes.
The PNP needs to rid itself of scoundrels before it can get the people’s trust and respect.
* * *
Pat. Lhar Talaga, a rookie cop, earned praises from his superiors and netizens for helping a woman give birth in Barangay Afga in Tangalan, Aklan on Jan. 27.
Is the PNP bereft of Good Samaritans or kindhearted members that one who helps a civilian is praised to high heavens?
Oldtimers told me that before World War II, a policeman not only maintained the peace but was also a social worker in the community.
A policeman in the not-too-distant past was a mediator of family disputes in the place where he lived, a helper in time of need, a surrogate father of orphaned children in his community.
In Los Angeles, I saw a cop get down from his patrol car to help an elderly woman cross the street.
Helping a civilian in distress is expected of a police officer.
Although Patrolman Talaga should be lauded for his good deed, he should not be immortalized because that was expected of him.
(By the way, photographs of his Good Samaritan deed were posted on Facebook).
Isn’t the PNP’s motto “to serve and protect?”
* * *
Newly-retired Election Commissioner Rowena Guanzon has practically identified the senator who, she said, was behind the delay in the release of the ruling on the disqualification case against presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr., or BBM.
The implication is that the ruling would favor Marcos, as the senator was reportedly backing BBMs’ candidacy.
Guanzon dropped hints that the senator was having an affair with Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino and that the solon was influencing the poll body official, one of those hearing the disqualification case.
The newly retired Commission on Elections executive’s supporters referred to “stones dropping from the skies” as to the identity of the solon.
Guanzon intimated the wife knew about the relationship between the senator and the new Comelec commissioner.
“It’s enough for me that his wife already knows and there’s going to be a war in his household,” said Guanzon.
Guanzon, who used to be a stuffed shirt when she was Comelec commissioner, has gone down to the level of a seemingly screaming LGBTQ.
I think I know the senator the unethical Guanzon was referring to.
A hooker once told me that before he became senator this guy was given fellatio by another sex worker.
Most of the time, hookers tell one another about their johns.
The senator, the hooker said, was shouting, “aguy, aguy, aguy” the whole time.
“Apparently, that was the man’s first experience when it comes to a blowjob,” said the hooker.
Guys, my conversation with the streetwalker really took place.
* * *
Joke! Joke! Joke!
Why is Jesus of Nazareth awash in cash?
Jesus saves.
Why is the portrait of Jesus sad?
Jesus cries.