Bantag, Zulueta Face Charges Filed by BuCor for Their Torture Against PDLs
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has filed charges against suspended chief Gerald Bantag and Deputy Security Officer Superintendent Ricardo Zulueta for alleged torturer against person deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Bantag and Zulueta tortured two PDLs inside the director’s office, according to BuCor. According to BuCor lawyer Al Perreras, they filed criminal and administrative cases against Bantag and Zulueta on Friday, January 13.
“We filed cases against Usec Bantag for violation RA 9745, this is the Anti-Torture Act of 2019, and serious physical injuries as against Superintendent Ricardo Zulueta is two counts of Presidential Decree No. 1829, this is obstruction of justice,” said Perreras.
“This is in connection with the stabbing incident involving the two PDLs, Jonathan Scopete and Ronald Usman. This happened last year February 1, 2022 inside the director’s office of then Director General Bantag,” he added.
Based on the report, there were five witnesses to the torture incident, and that the two PDLs were also afraid to file a complaint against Bantag. Zulueta offered them P50,000 each if they did not file charges against Bantag at the time.
“They were given P50,000 [each] by Zulueta just not to file cases against Bantag during the time that it happened. So that is why we filed cases against Zulueta for obstruction of justice,” Perreras said.
“The reason why it is only now because they were no longer assigned with the BuCor, that’s why they are strong. And even the other inmates now or those PDLs wanted to file complaints against Bantag,” it added.
When asked if they are looking into any other cases at the New Bilibid Prison, Perreras said yes. So far, neither Bantag nor Zulueta’s attorneys have responded.
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